Bronchiectasis is a respiratory disorder in which the airways (trachea, bronchus, bronchioles) that connect the windpipe to the lungs, are damaged.

1. Bronchiectasis

2. Bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis is a respiratory disorder in which the airways
(trachea, bronchus, bronchioles) that connect the windpipe to
the lungs, are damaged. An airway is a tube that provides
passage for air to flow in and out of the lungs. In this condition
the airways are distorted permanently. In most cases, this lung
disease is marked by permanent widening of one or more
airways. Bronchiectasis is an irreversible expansion of portions
of the airways. An infection may cause enlargement of bronchi
that can be either irregular or uniform. As a result, the tubes
become scarred and flabby.
In this type of lung infection, the airways get burdened with
excess production of mucus. Mucus is an antiseptic enzyme (a
sticky substance) produced by the airways, that traps foreign
particles (dust, bacteria) and removes them out of the body.

3. Bronchiectasis
Thus, mucus plays a very important role in protecting the
lungs from these inhaled particles. However, due to
infection, there is excess secretion of mucus in the airways.
As a result, the harmful particles remain trapped due to
accumulation of mucus. This often leads to repeated and
serious lung infections, which considerably damage the
airways. Over time, normal air flow in the lungs is drastically
affected, leading to respiratory failure.
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4. Causes of Bronchiectasis
An infection that damages the bronchial tubes is considered
to be the main cause of this lung problem. For
instance, pneumonia or whooping cough in children
increases the risk of bronchiectasis later in life. The disorder
can also occur due to a pre-existing lung disease. Inherited
disorders like cystic fibrosis can make the lungs susceptible
to recurrent infections that may lead to bronchiectasis. The
disease can also be the result of a direct injury to the
bronchial wall.

5. Symptoms
Difficulty breathing and persistent cough are the most
common symptoms of this lung infection. Cough gets worse
when the person lies down on one side. Some patients cough
up blood. Other symptoms include:
 Breath odour
 Shortness of breath
 Chronic cough that brings out mucus
 Fatigue
 Wheezing (the person makes a hoarse whistling sound while
breathing)

6. Treatment
The airways may collapse causing airflow obstruction, if
prompt treatment is not taken. As the condition is
irreversible, the treatment is given to control the infection
and stop further damage to the airways. The treatment is
directed to improve the clearance of mucus. It is essential to
remove the extra mucus accumulated in the airways. The
doctor may suggest some coughing exercises to bring out
large amounts of mucus. This way of removing the mucus out
of the body provides a great deal of relief to the patient.
Antibiotics, bronchodilators, and expectorants are also
recommended to relieve the symptoms of respiratory
condition.

7. Treatment
What can be done?
With proper treatment patients can lead relatively normal
lives. Inhaled medications (bronchodilators) open up the
airways by relaxing muscles, around the airways. Inhaled
steroids reduce the swelling developed inside the airways. If
a bacterial infection is responsible for causing abnormal
widening of the airways, then antibiotics are used. In case the
medications are found to be ineffective, surgery is
recommended.
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