![]() ![]() What is the Treatment for Bronchiectasis?Īlthough there is no cure for bronchiectasis, once a diagnosis is established, a program of care can be instituted to plan for significant improvements in quality of life, control of symptoms, a reduction in need for urgent treatments (for “chest infections”, or exacerbations, for example), and most importantly, a reduction in hospitalizations. Genetic testing for PCD, and CF may also be appropriate. In the case of CF, sweat testing should be done at a Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Accredited Center. In the case of PCD, nasal nitric oxide measurement and evaluation of the ciliary ultrastructure should occur at a PCD Clinical Center. Some specialized tests for bronchiectasis are only available at expert centers such as UNC. Genetic disease (Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia, or Atypical Cystic Fibrosis)Ī careful history, physical examination and select tests performed by experts in the field usually provide enough information to make not only a diagnosis of bronchiectasis, but also the likely causes.Idiopathic bronchiectasis (no cause known).Post-infectious bronchiectasis (a prior severe pneumonia for example, or a bad viral bronchitis) or.What Causes Bronchiectasis? Figure 2: Excessive infected airway mucus / sputum characteristic of bronchiectasis. In adults, it is important to recognize that it is rare to sterilize the airways and lungs completely, even with powerful antibiotics, although these medicines usually greatly improve patient’s well-being by reducing the “burden” of bacteria. Also known as “exacerbations”, or “flare-ups” these are usually treated with antibiotics: either tablets, or intravenous antibiotics via a “PICC” line, to help reduce the infectious bacteria in the lungs. Typically flare-ups, also known as exacerbations, are associated with increased cough, maybe even with coughing up blood, shortness of breath and fatigue. Occasionally, and over time, symptoms may be subtle such that patients may carry the diagnosis of asthma, or COPD.Symptoms usually wax and wane over time, with periods of relative stability, punctuated by periods of instability (“exacerbations” or flare-ups.).Other symptoms might include night sweats, fatigue, loss of appetite and weight, and chest pain.Cough, usually though not always, productive of green sputum (see Figure 2), sometimes blood.But with proper treatment and monitoring it is possible to improve many of the symptoms associated with bronchiectasis. Noone discusses Bronchiectasis What is Bronchiectasis? Figure 1: CT scan of lungs showing larger than normal airways, and bronchiectasis in both lungs.īronchiectasis is a chronic disease of the lung that can interfere greatly with quality of life in affected individuals. ![]()
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