Bronchiectasis is a lung disease caused by mucus buildup in the airways, resulting in difficulty breathing, chronic cough, and lung infections. It can be managed with antibiotics, mucus-reducing drugs, and physical therapy, but in severe cases, a lung transplant may be necessary.
Bronchiectasis is a type of obstructive lung disease characterized by a permanent widening of the airways. People with this condition may experience fatigue, difficulty breathing, and a chronic cough. While the disease process cannot be reversed, there are ways to manage bronchiectasis and prevent the condition from getting worse. In severe cases where the damage is extreme, a lung transplant may be the recommendation.
This condition can be the result of a congenital abnormality such as cystic fibrosis, or it can be acquired, as is the case in people suffering from chronic lung infections. Bronchiectasis is caused by a buildup of mucus in the bronchi, which causes the tubes to widen and weaken. The cilia lining the tubes are unable to push the mucus out, allowing it to build up. As a result, the tubes can become clogged with mucus making breathing difficult and bacteria can thrive, causing lung infections.
The patient may have an unproductive cough as he tries to expel sputum that accumulates in the bronchi and lungs. It is also typical to hear abnormal chest sounds when a doctor uses a stethoscope to listen to a patient’s heart and lungs. Shortness of breath may be accompanied by a gurgling or whistling sound, which can lead a doctor to incorrectly conclude that the patient has asthma, bronchitis, or a similar condition.
There are three types of bronchiectasis, in order of least to worst severity: cylindrical, varicose, and cystic. This condition is usually diagnosed after a doctor takes a patient history, listens to the patient’s lungs, and orders medical imaging studies such as CT scans to examine the lungs and associated bronchi. Some red flags that a patient may have bronchiectasis include a history of tuberculosis or other lung infections and congenital disorders involving the lungs.
When the condition is identified, the patient may be given antibiotics or other drugs to kill infectious agents living in the respiratory tract, and drugs may also be given to reduce mucus secretions. Physical therapy can also help the patient clear the mucus so that it does not build up and contribute to the emergence of a new infection. Treating bronchiectasis requires a lifetime commitment to caring for your lungs and monitoring changes so that emerging conditions can be addressed as quickly as possible to prevent further damage.
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