Bronchiectasis - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Bronchiectasis Definition

Bronchiectasis is a chronic inflammatory or degenerative condition of one or more bronchioles of the lungs marked by dilatation.

This disease has three forms:

• cylindrical
• varicose
• saccular

It affects people of all ages and both sexes. A person may be born with bronchiectasis or may be acquired it later in life. Bronchiectasis may also known as acquired Bronchiectasis , and Congenital Bronchiectasis.

Bronchiectasis Causes

Bronchiectasis may be caused by recurrent infection of the airways. Bronchiectasis is a condition representing abnormal and permanent dilatation and distortion of medium sized bronchi. There are specific conditions that may cause bronchiectasis. These condotins may be included cystic fibrosis and defects of the immune system. Sometimes bronchiectasis develops because of a birth defect, such as cystic fibrosis.

Localized bronchiectasis results from a focal insult, such as severe lobar pneumonia. The most common cause of bronchiectasis is repeated lung infection. Bronchiectasis is a relatively rare condition that causes abnormal stretching.

Bronchiectasis symptoms

The most typical symptom is a chronic cough that produces thick, white or green sputum and may be the first symptom of bronchiectasis. Symptoms begin usually after a respiratory infection.

The other bronchiectasis symptoms may include:

• coughing up blood
• shortness of breath
• Breathlessness
• Tiredness
• Anemia
• Wheezing
• weight loss
• fatigue
• Clubbing
• Morning cough
• Skin discoloration, bluish
• Paleness
• Chest pain
• Breath odor
• Paroxysmal coughing

Some people with bronchiectasis also have pus-producing infection of the nasal sinuses.

Bronchiectasis treatments

Treatment of bronchiectasis is aimed at controlling bronchial secretions, and relieving airway obstruction.

Treatment of bronchiectasis may be difficult and involves heavy use of antibiotics, bronchodilators, and expectorants are often prescribed for infections and antibiotics may be repeated regularly.

In the relatively few cases in which the infection is confined to a small part of the lung, it may be best to perform bronchoscopy.

Treatment of nose and runny nose using nasal drops and sprays.