Overview
Bronchiectasis is a long-term condition in which the airways of the lungs become permanently widened and scarred, making it hard to clear mucus. The trapped mucus invites repeated infections, which cause further damage in a cycle. With ongoing care, many people manage symptoms well and limit flare-ups.
Symptoms
- Daily cough producing large amounts of mucus
- Recurrent chest infections
- Breathlessness and wheezing
- Fatigue
- Coughing up blood in some cases
- Chest pain
- Clubbing of the fingertips over time
Causes & risk factors
- Severe or repeated lung infections, especially in childhood
- Cystic fibrosis
- Problems with the immune system
- An inhaled object or blockage in an airway
- Conditions such as severe COPD or some autoimmune diseases
- Sometimes no identifiable cause
Treatment & self-care
Care centres on confirming the diagnosis with imaging, daily airway-clearance techniques, treating infections promptly, vaccinations, and managing the underlying cause. A clinician, often with a respiratory physiotherapist, tailors and supervises the plan.
See a doctor urgently if
- You have a long-lasting cough with mucus that keeps coming back
- You get frequent chest infections
- You cough up blood, even a small amount
- Your breathlessness or mucus suddenly worsens