Doctor's Notes on Bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis is a term that describes damage to the walls of the bronchial tubes with loss of the smooth muscle and elasticity of the bronchi. Signs and symptoms of bronchiectasis include the following:
- increased sputum production,
- bloody sputum,
- shortness of breath,
- wheezing,
- weakness, and
- fatigue.
The sputum can be clear, bloody, and/or green or yellow.
Causes of bronchiectasis maybe congenital or acquired. Congenital causes of bronchiectasis may include cystic fibrosis, alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, Kartagener syndrome (sinusitis, bronchiectasis, dextrocardia, and infertility), and Young's syndrome (like Kartagener syndrome without dextrocardia). Acquired causes may include the following: recurrent infections, aspiration of foreign bodies, inhaling toxic gases like chlorine or ammonia, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, tuberculosis, and inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease).
What Are the Treatments for Bronchiectasis?
Treatment goals for bronchiectasis is to prevent infections and/or recurring symptom development. Treatments include the following:
- Oxygen therapy
- Antibiotics: oral or IV
- Mucus thinning (medicine delivered through a nebulizer)
- Airway clearance devices (breaks up lung mucus and helps the person to drain out obstructive mucus)
- Oscillating positive expiratory pressure
- Interpulmonary percussive ventilation
- Postural drainage
- Chest physical therapy
- Surgery: removal of obstructed section of lung
Your doctor can design a treatment plan for your individual situation.
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) Quiz
QuestionCOPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is the same as adult-onset asthma.
See AnswerMust Read Articles:
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Chronic and Acute Coughs
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Chronic Bronchitis
Bronchitis is inflammation of the air passages in the lungs. There are several viruses and bacteria that cause bronchitis. Exposure to pollutants or tobacco smoke are also risks. Bronchitis is contagious if it is viral or bacterial. It is not contagious if it is due to smoking, air pollution, and other inhaled irritants. Symptoms of bronchitis include cough, sore throat, wheezing, fever, chills, etc. Treatment for bronchitis depends on the cause. -
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung condition in which there is a long-lasting obstruction of the airways, and occurs with emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and/or asthma. Causes of COPD include cigarette smoking, exposure to secondhand smoke and environmental tobacco smoke, Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency, airway hyper-responsiveness, and air pollution. Symptoms of COPD include a productive cough and acute chest illness, shortness of breath, wheezing, heart failure, cyanosis, and weight loss. Treatment of COPD includes medications, oxygen therapy, surgery, and lung transplant. -
Crohn's Disease
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Emphysema
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Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
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Secondhand Smoke
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Tuberculosis (TB)
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infection, typically of the lungs, that is caused by either bacteria or fungus. Though treatments have have greatly evolved over the years, TB is still a major health problem worldwide. -
Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an acute or chronic inflammation of the membranes that line the colon. Symptoms of UC include abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, urgency for a bowel movement, fever, fatigue, and lack of appetite. Treatment for UC include medication and lifestyle changes. On occasion, surgery may be a necessary treatment for ulcerative colitis.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.