Bronchiectasis is a condition in which damage to the lungs’ airways, from either an infection or other condition, widens them and makes them flabby and scarred. In this condition, your airways slowly lose the ability to clear out mucus over time, either in one or both of the lungs. When mucus cannot be cleared, it builds up eventually and creates a bacteria-prone environment, resulting in repetitive, serious lung infections.
If left untreated, bronchiectasis can lead to some other serious health conditions, including respiratory failure, heart failure and atelectasis.
Initial lung damage often starts during one’s childhood, but symptoms may not occur until much later in life. Roughly two-thirds of people who have this particular condition are women. With children though, it more commonly occurs in boys.
Bronchiectasis can be either congenital or acquired. Congenital bronchiectasis affects infants and children and results from issues in lung formation while the child is still a fetus. Acquired bronchiectasis occurs because of another condition and can affect both adults and older children. Acquired bronchiectasis is typically much more common than its counterpart.
Conditions that damage the walls of the lungs’ airways or an infection usually are the primary causes of bronchiectasis. Examples of these causes include, but are not limited to, the following:
-Lung infections
-Severe pneumonia
-Whooping cough
-Measles
-Tuberculosis
-Fungal infections
-Conditions
-Cystic fibrosis
-Immunodeficiency disorders
-Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
-Disorders that affect cilia function (i.e. primary ciliary dyskinesia)
-Chronic pulmonary aspiration
-Connective tissue diseases (i.e. rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome, Crohn’s disease)
-Airway blockage (i.e. growth, benign tumor)
-Problems with lung formation
While bronchiectasis currently has no cure, a quality life is still possible with an early diagnosis and treatment. Consult your doctor if you believe your symptoms coincide with this condition to figure out the best method of diagnosis and treatment for your individualized case. Testing may include chest CT scans, x-rays, blood tests, sputum cultures, a bronchoscopy, lung function tests, and/or surgery.
Some potential form of prevention/treatment may help to alleviate/minimize your risk for developing bronchiectasis, such as:
-Getting childhood vaccinations
-Avoiding toxic fumes/gases/smoke/other harmful substances
-Treat lung infections as soon as possible
Symptoms can include, but are not limited to, the following:
-Chronic coughing that lasts for months/years
-Excessive production of sputum
-Shortness of breath
-Wheezing
-Chest pain
-Clubbing of the nails
-Fatigue
-Coughing up blood
-(In children) weight loss/abnormal growth rate
