
Possible complicationsĬomplications of bronchiectasis are rare, but they can be serious. Read more about the treatment of bronchiectasis. Surgery is usually only considered for bronchiectasis in rare cases where other treatments haven't been effective, the damage to your bronchi is confined to a small area and you're in good general health.
antibiotics to treat any lung infections that develop. medication to help improve airflow within the lungs.
exercises and special devices to help you clear mucus out of your lungs. The damage caused to the lungs by bronchiectasis is permanent, but treatment can help relieve your symptoms and stop the damage getting worse. The majority of these people were over 60 years old. Over 12,000 people were admitted to hospital in England during 2013-14 with bronchiectasis. It can affect anyone at any age, but symptoms don't usually develop until middle age. It's estimated that around 1 in every 1,000 adults in the UK have the condition. Who is affectedīronchiectasis is thought to be uncommon. Read more about the causes of bronchiectasis. However, in many cases of bronchiectasis, no obvious cause for the condition can be found (known as idiopathic bronchiectasis). allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) – an allergy to a certain type of fungi that can cause the bronchi to become inflamed if spores from the fungi are inhaled. underlying problems with the immune system (the body’s defence against infection) that make the bronchi more vulnerable to damage from an infection.
a lung infection during childhood, such as pneumonia or whooping cough, that damages the bronchi. The three most common causes in the UK are: There are many reasons why this may happen. Why it happensīronchiectasis can develop if the tissue and muscles that surround the bronchi are damaged or destroyed. Over time, this cycle can cause gradually worsening damage to the lungs. If an infection does develop, the bronchi may be damaged again, so even more mucus gathers in them, and the risk of infection increases further. This means more mucus than usual gathers there, which makes the bronchi more vulnerable to infection. In bronchiectasis, one or more of the bronchi are abnormally widened. The inside walls of the bronchi are coated with sticky mucus, which protects against damage from particles moving down into the lungs. Oxygen travels through these airways, ends up in tiny sacs called alveoli, and from there is absorbed into the bloodstream.
#Coughing up phlegm but not sick full
The lungs are full of tiny branching airways, known as bronchi. Read more about diagnosing bronchiectasis. If your GP suspects you may have bronchiectasis, they'll refer you to a specialist in treating lung conditions (a respiratory consultant) for further tests.
While this may not be caused by bronchiectasis, it requires further investigation. You should see your GP if you develop a persistent cough. Read more about the symptoms of bronchiectasis. The symptoms tend to get worse if you develop an infection in your lungs. Some people have only a few symptoms that don't appear often, while others have wide-ranging daily symptoms. The severity of symptoms can vary widely. a persistent cough that usually brings up phlegm (sputum).The most common symptoms of bronchiectasis include: Bronchiectasis is a long-term condition where the airways of the lungs become abnormally widened, leading to a build-up of excess mucus that can make the lungs more vulnerable to infection.