Key Points

• Bronchiectasis is a condition in which damage to the airways causes them to widen and become flabby and scarred. The airways are tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs.
• Bronchiectasis usually is the result of an infection or other condition that injures the walls of your airways or prevents the airways from clearing mucus. Mucus is a slimy substance that the airways produce to help remove inhaled dust, bacteria, and other small particles.
• In bronchiectasis, your airways slowly lose their ability to clear out mucus. When mucus can't be cleared, it builds up and creates an environment in which bacteria can grow. This leads to repeated, serious lung infections.
• Each infection causes more damage to your airways. Over time, the airways lose their ability to move air in and out. This can prevent enough oxygen from reaching your vital organs.
• Bronchiectasis can lead to serious health problems, such as respiratory failure, atelectasis, and heart failure.
• In the United States, common childhood infections, such as whooping cough and measles, used to cause many cases of bronchiectasis. However, these causes are now less common due to the use of vaccines and antibiotics.
• Now, in the United States, bronchiectasis usually is due to an underlying medical condition that injures the airway walls or prevents the airways from clearing mucus. Examples of such conditions include cystic fibrosis and primary ciliary dyskinesia.
• Congenital bronchiectasis is the result of a problem with how the lungs form in a fetus. This type of bronchiectasis usually affects infants and children.
• Bronchiectasis can affect just one section of one of your lungs or many sections of both lungs.
• The initial damage that leads to bronchiectasis often begins in childhood. However, signs and symptoms may not appear until months or even years after you start having repeated lung infections.
• The most common signs and symptoms of bronchiectasis are a daily cough (over months or years), daily production of large amounts of sputum (spit), shortness of breath and wheezing, chest pain, and clubbing.
• Over time, you may have more serious symptoms. You may cough up blood or bloody sputum and feel fatigued (very tired). Children may lose weight, or they may not grow at a normal rate.
• Your doctor will diagnose bronchiectasis based on your signs and symptoms and the results from tests and procedures.
• Bronchiectasis is treated with medicines, hydration, chest physical therapy (CPT), oxygen, and surgery. Medicines, especially antibiotics, and CPT are the standard treatments for the condition.
• To prevent bronchiectasis, it's important to prevent lung infections and lung damage that can cause it. Childhood vaccines against measles and whooping cough prevent infections with these illnesses. It also may help to avoid toxic fumes, gases, smoke, and other substances that can harm your lungs.
• Proper treatment of lung infections in children also may help prevent lung damage that can lead to bronchiectasis.
• Early diagnosis and treatment of bronchiectasis are important. The sooner your doctor can start treating your bronchiectasis and any underlying conditions, the better the chances of preventing further damage to your lungs.
• If you have bronchiectasis, work closely with your doctor to learn ways that you can improve your quality of life. This involves learning as much as you can about bronchiectasis and any underlying conditions that you have. Take steps to avoid lung infections, stay well hydrated, and follow a healthy lifestyle.
• Bronchiectasis can't be cured. However, with proper care, most people who have the condition can enjoy a good quality of life.