Bronchiectasis: Bronchiectasis is a condition in which the bronchial tubes of the lung become damaged. Inflammation from infection or other causes destroys the smooth muscles of the bronchial tubes. Bronchiectasis is a form of COPD (which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis). There are three primary types of bronchiectasis: 1) cylindrical bronchiectasis; 2) saccular bronchiectasis; and 3) cystic bronchiectasis. Bronchiectasis may also be acquired or congenital. The most common symptoms of bronchiectasis are recurrent cough and sputum production. There is no cure for bronchiectasis. Treatment is often geared toward controlling the symptoms of bronchiectasis.
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Coughs
A cough is a symptom of an underlying disease or condition. A chronic or persistent cough may signal certain lung conditions that should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Common causes of coughs include infection, allergies, lung disease, medications, and GERD (reflux). Acute coughs are categorized as infectious or non-infectious. Chronic cough (persistent cough) have a variety of causes and should be evaluated by physician. Treatment of cough, acute cough, chronic or persistent cough depends on the cause of the cough. -
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 Disease
Crohn's disease (Crohn disease) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and is a chronic long-term inflammation of the digestive tract. The cause of Crohn's disease is unknown. Symptoms of Crohn's disease include diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, bloating, and infections of the urinary tract and vagina. Treatment for Crohn's disease includes lifestyle changes in diet, medication, and surgery. -
Emphysema
Emphysema a long-term, progressive disease of the lungs. The most common symptom of emphysema is shortness of breath. Causes and risk factors for emphysema include cigarette smoking, alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, air pollution, abnormal airway reactivity, gender, and age. Treatment includes medication, lifestyle changes (quitting smoking), surgery, and lung transplantation. -
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
What is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)? Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of diseases and conditions in which the intestines and other digestive structures become inflamed. Two of these diseases are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The cause of IBD is not known; however, they may be a result of an immune reaction of the body against its own intestinal tissue. Symptoms of IBD vary from person to person, and also vary by disease, but may include bloody diarrhea, fever, anemia, weight loss, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain. Treatment for IBD include diet, lifestyle changes, medication, and surgery. -
Secondhand Smoke
Secondhand tobacco smoke exposure has been proven to cause lung cancer, other cancers, heart disease, heart attack, respiratory illnesses, asthma, ear infections, SIDS, and other diseases. Eliminating all exposure to secondhand smoke is the only way to avoid risk of diseases and conditions caused by secondhand smoke. -
Tuberculosis
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.
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Bronchiectasis Topic Guide - Visuals
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Bronchiectasis Topic Guide - Medications and Vitamins
Medications:
Budesonide And Formoterol InhalationFormoterol is a long-acting bronchodilator. Budesonide is a steroid...learn more »
Fluticasone And Salmeterol (inhalation)Fluticasone and salmeterol inhalation is a steroid and bronchodilator combination medicine that is used to prevent asthma attacks. It is also used to preven...learn more »
FormoterolFormoterol inhalation is used to control the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
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Budesonide InhalationBudesonide inhalation is a steroid that is used to prevent asthma attacks...learn more »
Albuterol And Ipratropium (inhalation)Albuterol and ipratropium are bronchodilators that relax muscles in the airways and increase air flow to the lungs...learn more »
Salmeterol (inhalation)Salmeterol inhalation is a bronchodilator that is used to prevent asthma attacks or exercise-induced bronchospasm...learn more »
AlbuterolAlbuterol oral is a bronchodilator taken by mouth to treat bronchospasm (wheezing, shortness of breath)...learn more »
Albuterol InhalationAlbuterol inhalation is a bronchodilator that is used to treat or prevent bronchospasm in people with reversible obstructive airway disease. Albuterol is al...learn more »
PrednisonePrednisone is a steroid that reduces inflammation in the body, and also suppresses your immune system...learn more »
Ipratropium InhalationIpratropium is a bronchodilator that is used to to prevent bronchospasm in people with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), including bronchitis and...learn more »
Bronchiectasis Topic Guide – Related Topics
Related Topics:
Crohn Disease in Children and Teens
Crohn's disease is an inflammation of the small intestine. Crohn's disease is also referred to as inflammatory bowel disease. Crohn's disease in children and ...learn more »
Viral Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection or inflammation of the lungs. It can be in just one part of the lungs, or it can involve many parts. Symptoms of viral pneumonia inclu...learn more »
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are prescribed to individuals to cure disease by killing bacteria. There are over 100 antibiotics. The main classes of antibiotics include penicil...learn more »
Chest X-Ray
Chest X-ray is a common procedure ordered to diagnose certain diseases and conditions such as pneumonia, congestive heart failure, emphysema, lung masses or nod...learn more »
Chest Pain Overview
Chest pain has a variety of noncardiac and cardiac causes, some of which can be very serious. Signs and symptoms of chest pain may include burning, squeezing, o...learn more »
Congestive Heart Failure
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a condition in which the heart can't pump enough blood and oxygen to the body's tissues. Learn about symptoms and treatment.learn more »
Pulmonary Embolism
A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blood clot in the lung. The clot typically comes from other areas of the body and travels to the lung, where it becomes lodged. P...learn more »
Living With Crohn Disease
Living with Crohn's disease can be stressful, depressing, and frustrating. Crohn's disease is not curable, but there are a variety of things that can improve th...learn more »
Cigarette Smoking
Cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of death and illness among Americans. Effects of smoking can cause cancers, emphysema, bronchitis, COPD, chronic cou...learn more »
Steroids
Steroid abuse is common in athletes in professional sports. Androgenic/anabolic steroids regulate the manufacture of testosterone in the ovaries and testicles. ...learn more »
Immunization Schedule, Children
Vaccinations are some of the most important tools available for preventing disease. Most children get all their shots during childhood. Parents should consult t...learn more »
Chemical Pneumonia
Chemical pneumonia is a type of lung irritation. Many substances can cause chemical pneumonia including liquids, gasses, dust, fumes, and lung aspiration. Sympt...learn more »
CT Scan
What is a CT scan? Computerized tomography scans (CT scans) are important diagnostic tools for a variety of medical conditions. Some areas of the body frequentl...learn more »
Bacterial Pneumonia
Bacterial pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. People with pneumonia usually experience coughing, fever, shortness of breath, and chest pain. Pneumonia is a ...learn more »
Bronchoscopy
Bronchoscopy is performed to view the inside of a person's airway and lungs. There are two types of bronchoscopy, 1) rigid bronchoscopy and 2) flexible bronc...
learn more »
Immunization Schedule, Adults
At least 45,000 adults in the United States die of complications of learn more »
Immunizations and Antibiotics for Oversea Travel
Most immunizations are not required under International Health Requirements but are recommended. Anyone lacking certain region- or country-specific immunization...learn more »