Bronchiectasis - Medtick

Bronchiectasis

What is it?

Bronchiectasis is the permanently damaged, widened, and thickened of the airways of the lungs, including the bronchi and bronchioles.

  • This condition causes inflammation of the airways producing a high levels of mucus.
  • The inflammation and high levels of mucus causes damage to the cilia (the finger-like lining of the airways that clear mucus and debris) an this can lead to obstruction.
  • Mucus cannot be easily cleared because of this and as result it sits in the lungs, becoming a breeding ground for bacteria and leading to further lung and/or chest infections.
  • It mainly occurs from a young age or from other respiratory conditions.

It is classified as both :

  • Obstructive lung disease along with asthma
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) along with Chronic bronchitis and emphysema

Diagnosis Tests

The Pharmaceutical Journal, PJ October 2020, Vol 305, No 7942;305(7942):DOI:10.1211/
PJ.2020.20208431

verywellhealth

Cause

Medication

  • Post- chemotherapy/radiotherapy

Syndromes 

Symptoms

(Symptoms may take time to develop and may get worst when one has an infection)

  • Chronic cough that gets worse when lying down (cough is longer than three weeks)?
  • Thick, foul-smelling mucus when you cough every day?
  • Coughing up blood?
  • Shortness of breath and/or breathing difficulties?
  • Wheezing?
  • Abnormal sounds or wheezing in the chest with breathing?
  • Recurrent chest infections
  • Coughing up blood?
  • Low Exercise intolerance (breathing difficulties when exercising)?
  • Joint pain?
  • Rib pain due to coughing?

Nail changes:

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Do not wait, phone for an ambulance, if have symptoms or develop:

  • Severe lung infection:
    • A bluish tinge to the skin and lips (cyanosis)
    • Confusion
    • High temperature of 38C (100.4F) or above
    • Rapid breathing (more than 25 breaths a minute)
    • Severe chest pain that makes it too painful to cough and clear your lungs

NHSUK


This condition can lead to:

  • Pleurisy
  • Weight loss
  • General discomfort (muscle weakness), uneasiness or ill feeling (malaise) and/or fatigue (tiredness)
  • Pain when breathing

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Bronchiectasis in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

  • NHS

    Find information and advice on health conditions, symptoms, healthy living, medicines and how to get help (British National Health Service).

  • Medscape

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  • Pharmaceutical Journal

    The Pharmaceutical Journal covers analysis, features, opinion, learning and careers articles, providing insight and knowledge about drugs, pharmacy practice, medicines use and healthcare policy in the context of the pharmacy profession and pharmaceutical science.

  • Healthline

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  • Medical News Today

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  • WebMD

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  • Cleveland Clinic

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  • Mayo Clinic

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  • Drugs.com

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  • National Organisation of Rare Diseases

    NORD is dedicated to supporting education, elevating care, advancing research, and driving policy for rare diseases.

  • Verywell Health

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  • Fit for Travel

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  • DR Axe

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