What Type of Disease is Bronchiectasis?

Common Causes of Bronchiectasis Explained

Nowadays, millions of people worldwide have different respiratory conditions. One of them is bronchiectasis. It is a condition in which the airways become dilated or have pouches, thereby leading to coughing with much mucus and recurring infections.

Bronchiectasis is a chronic condition that affects 50 to 1,000 adults per 100,000 worldwide. In contrast to an uncomplicated infection, bronchiectasis is a chronic structural lung disorder that, if untreated, can result in recurrent infections, inflammation, and severe breathing problems.

Keep reading to learn more about what bronchiectasis is, and for more details.

What is Bronchiectasis?

Bronchiectasis is a long-term lung disease in which the bronchial tubes (the significant airways within the lungs) are permanently destroyed, dilated, and thickened. This damage makes the lungs less capable of expelling mucus, which allows bacteria to grow.

The outcome is a cycle of infections, inflammation, and increasing lung damage. Although it may be congenital (at birth), bronchiectasis is more often acquired later in life as a result of infections, immune problems, or other lung illnesses.

What are the Symptoms of Bronchiectasis?

Bronchiectasis symptoms usually develop slowly and can become more severe over time. Although the severity can vary, the following are typical signs of the condition:

• A recurring daily cough brings up a lot of thick, sticky mucus (sputum)
• Shortness of breath or labored breathing, particularly on exertion.
• Coughing up small amounts of blood (hemoptysis), which may be infrequent or frequent.
• Recurring respiratory infections like bronchitis or pneumonia.
• Wheezing or whistling on breathing due to airway obstruction.
• Fatigue or persistent tiredness, usually brought about by the body's resistance to infection and impaired oxygen exchange.
• Chest pain or discomfort, usually associated with a chronic cough and inflammation.
• Foul-smelling mucus, usually a sign of bacterial infection of the lungs.
• Fever, chills, or night sweats, particularly during flare-ups or active infections.
• Weight loss
• Clubbing of the toes and fingers, in which skin and nails thicken and curve because of prolonged low oxygen levels.
• Acute episodes of symptom worsening, during which symptoms suddenly worsen and need to be treated immediately.

What are the Causes of Bronchiectasis?

The following are the main causes of bronchiectasis:

• Cystic fibrosis
• Primary ciliary dyskinesia
• Immunodeficiency disorders, including HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)and hypogammaglobulinemia
• Autoimmune or inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ulcerative colitis, and Sjögren's syndrome
• Changes following surgery or structural issues within the lungs
• Obstructions in the airways caused by foreign bodies, tumors, or enlarged lymph nodes
• Inhalation of harmful substances like fumes, gases, tobacco smoke, silica, or coal dust
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Allergic bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA), which is an allergic response to the fungus Aspergillus
• Repeated aspiration of food, liquids, or stomach contents into the airways
• Tuberculosis and infections from non-tuberculous mycobacteria, such as MAC (monitored anesthesia care)
• Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
• Inadequate nutrition and insufficient vaccination in underprivileged regions
• Lung fibrosis resulting from radiation exposure
• Organ transplantation and the use of immunosuppressive therapy heightenthe risk of infections

How to Diagnose Bronchiectasis?

Bronchiectasis is diagnosed through a combination of clinical evaluation, imaging, lung function assessment, and laboratory tests to confirm airway damage and identify underlying causes. Key diagnostic approaches include:

• Clinical Assessment: Your provider will assess your symptoms, obtain a history, and perform a clinical examination, which also includes auscultation of the chest for abnormal breath sounds.
• Lung Function Testing (Spirometry): This is generally performed to assess airflow and lung capacity.
• Imaging: The imaging study for evaluating bronchiectasis is a high-resolution CT (computed tomography) scan of the chest, which assesses for airway dilation and structural changes in the airways and lungs. A chest x-ray may still be utilized first for practical reasons, but it is less sensitive for detecting bronchiectasis than a CT scan.
• Sputum and Blood Tests: The sputum is examined for the presence of infection or inflammation, and bacteria or fungi can be identified in the lungs by culture of the sputum or blood tests.
• Genetic Testing: This examination might be considered to test for the presence of inherited conditions such as cystic fibrosis or primary ciliary dyskinesia.
• Sweat Chloride Test: This exam is performed only to evaluate the presence of cystic fibrosis (has high salt in sweat).
• Bronchoscopy: This test is done in severe cases to visualize the airways directly, remove a blockage,or obtain mucus or tissue for analysis.
• Follow-up: You may require follow-ups to monitor lung function, detect infections, and observe disease progression.

Can Bronchiectasis Be Cured?

No, bronchiectasis cannot be cured, but the symptoms can be managed, and the course of the disease can be slowed down with therapy. Therapy is directed at controlling infections, eliminating mucus, and addressing any underlying conditions that lead to bronchiectasis.

Key Treatments Include:

• Airway clearance techniques (e.g., oscillating PEP devices, chest physiotherapy)
• Long-term macrolide antibiotics (e.g., azithromycin) to reduce exacerbations
• Nebulized hypertonic saline to improve mucus clearance
• Vaccinations (e.g., flu, pneumococcal) to prevent infections

What is Bad for Bronchiectasis?

For individuals with bronchiectasis, some factors may worsen the condition or exacerbate its symptoms. They can be smoking, exposure to air pollution, infection, certain foods, and failure to use airway clearance techniques. To keep the condition under control, a healthy lifestyle is crucial, involving eating a healthy diet and remaining well-hydrated.

Bronchiectasis occurs when the lining of the airways is damaged, making it difficult to clear mucus, dust, or germs. This creates an environment for bacterial growth, eventually causing serious infections of the lungs and breathing problems.

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