Segmental, irreversible dilation of the bronchial tree resulting in the accumulation of secretions which leads to obstruction. The most common cause is bacterial infection
Symptoms of Bronchiectasis
The following features are indicative of Bronchiectasis:
breath odor
clubbing of fingers (rare)
coughing up blood
fatigue
shortness of breath that gets worse with exercise
paleness
weight loss
wheezing
low grade fever and night sweats
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Common Causes of Bronchiectasis
The following are the most common causes of Bronchiectasis:
cystic fibrosis
autoimmune disorders
rheumatoid arthritis
Crohn's disease
allergic lung diseases
leukemia and related cancers
Other Causes of Bronchiectasis
The following are the less common causes of Bronchiectasis:
tuberculosis
pneumonia
inhaled foreign bodies
allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
bronchial tumours
Risk Factors for Bronchiectasis
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Bronchiectasis:
being younger than 3 or older than 60
confinement to bed with infrequent changes of position
impaired swallowing function, particularly in older adults
asthma in children
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
cystic fibrosis
premature birth
recent abdominal or chest surgery
recent general anesthesia
muscular dystrophy
spinal cord injury
abdominal pain
rib fracture
Prevention of Bronchiectasis
Yes, it may be possible to prevent Bronchiectasis. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
get immunized against measles, pertussis, pneumonia, and other acute respiratory infections
avoid smoking
regular vaccination against pneumonia, influenza and pertussis
Occurrence of Bronchiectasis
Number of Cases
The following are the number of Bronchiectasis cases seen each year worldwide:
Extremely rare less than 1000 cases
Common Age Group
Bronchiectasis most commonly occurs in the following age group:
Aged > 50 years
Common Gender
Bronchiectasis can occur in any gender.
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Bronchiectasis
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Bronchiectasis:
Chest X-ray: To diagnose the disease
Computed tomography: To get the image of lungs
Oximetry: To measure the oxygen saturation in the blood
Bronchoscopy: To see and possibly remove obstructions in airway, such as a mucus plug, tumor or foreign body
Doctor for Diagnosis of Bronchiectasis
Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Bronchiectasis:
Pulmonologist
Complications of Bronchiectasis if untreated
Yes, Bronchiectasis causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Bronchiectasis is left untreated:
respiratory failure
atelectasis
shortness of breath
rapid breathing
air hunger
heart failure
Procedures for Treatment of Bronchiectasis
The following procedures are used to treat Bronchiectasis:
Surgery: To remove (resect) the lung
Bronchodilators: To open up airways
Self-care for Bronchiectasis
The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Bronchiectasis:
Take proper diet: Pay attention to nutrition and fluid intake such as supplemental high-calorie nutrition, special fat-soluble vitamins
Vaccination: Keep immunizations up to date
Exercise: Helps to loosen mucus in the airways, and strengthens heart
Eliminate smoke: To avoid the lumps
Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Bronchiectasis
The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Bronchiectasis:
Oxygen Therapy: Helps to raise low blood oxygen levels
Patient Support for Treatment of Bronchiectasis
The following actions may help Bronchiectasis patients:
Family support: Communicate with family makes feel comfortable
Join support communities: Helps in connecting with others facing this disease
Time for Treatment of Bronchiectasis
While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Bronchiectasis to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:
Disease cannot be treated but only maintained or effects reduced
Last updated date
This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.
This page provides information for Bronchiectasis.