Bronchiectasis

What Are the Symptoms of Bronchiectasis? Symptoms of bronchiectasis can take months or years to develop, and gradually become worse. The two primary symptoms are a cough and daily production of mucus (sputum). Other symptoms typically include: • Coughing up yellow or green mucus daily • Shortness of breath that gets worse during flare-ups • Fatigue, feeling run-down or tired • Fevers and/or chills • Wheezing or whistling sound while you breathe • Coughing up blood or mucus mixed with blood, a condition called hemoptysis • Chest pain from increased effort to breathe • Clubbing, or the thickening of the skin under nails How Is Bronchiectasis Diagnosed? Bronchiectasis is an under-diagnosed condition. If it is suspected, your doctor will first require a detailed family history and blood tests to determine whether you may have an underlying condition that could cause bronchiectasis. These blood tests can also tell your doctor if you have low levels of infection-fighting blood cells. Because it is a lung disease, your physician will also want to test your lung function. They will start by listening to your lungs to check for blockages and abnormalities. Once they rule out other causes for your symptoms, the most common way to diagnose bronchiectasis is with a chest X-ray or In severe cases when bronchiectasis isn’t responding to treatment, doctors may recommend a When to See Your Doctor It is important for patients who have been diagnosed with bronchiectasis to see their doctor ...

Bronchiectasis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are two chronic conditions that involve damage to the lungs. The causes and treatments for each differ. In some instances, COPD may cause bronchiectasis. Read on to learn about the differences and similarities between bronchiectasis and COPD and how each condition is treated. People with this condition cough up large amounts of mucus, especially during flareups. Flareups of bronchiectasis are referred to as exacerbations. During an exacerbation, you will also find it harder to breathe. Bronchi are designed to enable free breathing by letting air enter the lungs. Bronchiectasis occurs when the bronchi in the lungs become chronically inflamed and thickened. Over time, the thickening of the bronchial walls and subsequent scarring make it hard to move mucus out of the lungs. Recurring infections also become more likely. Bronchiectasis occurs most often in people ages 75 and over. However, you can get this condition at any age. Having The underlying causes of bronchiectasis are not always known. However, this condition is often caused by other health conditions and infections that damage the lungs. These include: • • • • • recurrent People with bronchiectasis can live their usual lives, but exacerbation periods may be challenging. Diagnosis and treatment are essential for the best outcomes. COPD is a serious, chronic disease that progressively worsens over time. People over age 40 are at the highest risk, especiall...

Bronchiectasis is a condition where the There’s no cure for bronchiectasis, but it’s manageable. With treatment, you can usually live a typical life. However, flare-ups must be treated quickly to maintain oxygen flow to the rest of your body and prevent further lung damage. Read on for more information about bronchiectasis and its symptoms, causes, treatment, and more. Symptoms of bronchiectasis can take months or even years to develop. Some typical symptoms include: • • • atypical sounds or wheezing in your chest with breathing • • • coughing up large amounts of thick mucus every day • weight loss • • change in the structure of your fingernails and toenails, known as • frequent If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, you should contact a doctor immediately for diagnosis and treatment. The risk of developing bronchiectasis increases with age, though younger people can have it. Women Other health conditions that can put you at risk of having bronchiectasis include: • an atypically functioning immune system • repeated aspiration (breathing in) of things like food or drink • • • COPD • • lung infections, such as A chest This painless test creates precise pictures of your airways and other structures in your chest. A chest CT scan can show the extent and location of lung damage. After bronchiectasis is confirmed with the chest CT scan, your doctor will try to establish the cause of the bronchiectasis based on your history and physical exam findings. It’s important to fin...

Article: • • • • • • • • • Images: • Epidemiology As there are many causes of bronchiectasis, which may occur at essentially any age, no single demographic is particularly involved. Two groups make up the majority of cases: post-infectious and 3. Clinical presentation Bronchiectasis typically presents with recurrent chest infections, productive cough more than 8 weeks, production of copious amounts of sputum, and Pathology Etiology Bronchiectasis is the common response of bronchi to a combination of inflammation and obstruction/impaired clearance. Causes include 1-7,9,17,21: • idiopathic (most common) • impaired host defenses • • • • 15,16 • postinfective (most common known non-cystic fibrosis cause in adults) • bacterial pneumonia and bronchitis, e.g S. aureus, H. influenzae, B. pertussis • mycobacterial infection, e.g. • allergic and autoimmune • • connective tissue disease, e.g. 6, 7 • • obstruction • severe obstructive lung disease: • neoplasm, e.g. • inhaled foreign bodies • congenital • bronchial tree malformations, e.g. • • others • • • • post-transplantation A mnemonic to remember common causes is Subtypes According to macroscopic morphology, three types have been described, which also represent a spectrum of severity 8: • • bronchi have a uniform caliber, do not taper and have parallel walls ( • commonest form 14 • • relatively uncommon • beaded appearances where dilated bronchi have interspersed sites of relative narrowing • • severe form with cyst-like bronchi t...

Overview Damage to the walls causes mucus to collect in these passages because the walls are not strong enough to make the mucus move out of the lungs. In addition, the cilia (thin strands that look like hair and that help move mucus) are destroyed. When that happens, infections can happen more easily and breathing becomes difficult. About Our Program Cleveland Clinic’s comprehensive Bronchiectasis Program focuses on determining the underlying cause of bronchiectasis and managing the disease through appropriate treatment. The goal of the program is to minimize progression of lung disease, as well as managing the day-to-day symptoms such as coughing, mucus production, shortness of breath, weight loss and fatigue that can dramatically impact a patient's quality of life. More than 250 patients are referred to our program from all over the world each year. A Team Approach Our multidisciplinary care team has extensive experience in diagnosing and caring for adults living with bronchiectasis. Unique collaborations include: • Infectious disease experts in the management of non-tuberculous mycobacteria • Immunologists for the treatment of Bronchiectasis associated with immune deficiency • Maternal Fetal Medicine: Comprehensive management including preconception planning, pregnancy management, and delivery • Cleveland Clinic Home Care: Ability to safely provide home intravenous antibiotics • Cleveland Clinic Specialty Pharmacy: Access to specialty medications, such as inhaled antib...