WHAT IS BRONCHIECTASIS?
Bronchiectasis is a lung disease affecting the small airways, and has notable similarities to COPD causing a thickening, weakening and scarring of the inner surfaces of the bronchi. During breathing, air travels within the lungs through airways called bronchi. Bronchiectasis causes the walls of the bronchi to become scarred and unable to efficiently drain mucus secretions, causing mucus to build up and become a breeding ground for germs. The inability to clear excess mucus secretions affects the function of the cilia, which are tiny, thin hair-like structures that aid in the movement of mucus. This can eventually affect the function of the lungs, causing more difficulty breathing. Bronchiectasis may gradually worsen over time, so it is important to see a lung health specialist to monitor and manage the symptoms and to implement treatment when it is needed.
CAUSES OF BRONCHIECTASIS
Bronchiectasis is often linked to cystic fibrosis, but other lung diseases and health conditions can trigger bronchiectasis as well.
Common Bronchiectasis triggers:
Autoimmune disorders
Immunodeficiency disorders
Chronic and inflammatory lung disease
Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren’s syndrome
Chronic pulmonary aspiration and swallowing problems
Airway blockage by a growth or noncancerous tumor
SYMPTOMS OF BRONCHIECTASIS
As with other diseases of the lung, symptoms may take time to develop. The primary symptoms of bronchiectasis is coughing with daily production of mucus.
Other Bronchiectasis symptoms:
Persistently coughing up discolored mucus
Shortness of breath which worsens during flare-ups
Fatigue
Wheezing
Coughing up blood tinged mucus
Chest pain or tightness from increased effort to breathe
Weight loss
Clubbing of nails
BRONCHIECTASIS DIAGNOSIS
As with all lung conditions, early diagnosis and treatment offers reduced risk of exacerbation and improved health outcomes. Because bronchiectasis is often triggered by other lung disorders and health related conditions, it is an under-diagnosed condition. If your pulmonologist suspects you have bronchiectasis, he or she will perform a thorough examination and a health history evaluation as well as order a variety of tests to help make an accurate diagnosis.
Bronchiectasis testing may include:
Lung function tests
CT scan
Chest X-ray
Blood tests
Bronchoscopy
BRONCHIECTASIS TREATMENT
Although there is no cure for bronchiectasis, there are treatments available to help prevent infections and flare-ups and manage the course of the disease. Treatment modalities include medications to help thin mucus, antibiotics as needed to fight infection and airway clearance devices to aid in breaking up the mucus.
If you have been diagnosed with bronchiectasis, you can begin healthy lifestyle habits that can help reduce the exacerbations of the disease. The most significant change that you can make that will have the greatest positive effect on the course of the disease is to quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke.
Additional healthy lifestyle habits:
Maintaining a healthy diet
Staying hydrated
Diligently taking oral and inhaled medications and performing mucus clearing techniques each day
Staying current on vaccinations
Taking prescribed antibiotics during flare-ups
HOW LUNG HEALTH SERVICES CAN HELP
Lung Health Services works directly with your physicians and specialists to help establish the most effective and beneficial treatment plan for you. Dr. Nina Maouelainin of Lung Health Services, located in the Great Philadelphia area, specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and other lung conditions. She uses advanced, minimally-invasive techniques like bronchoscopy to make diagnoses earlier and treat patients sooner, for more successful health outcomes. In severe cases of bronchiectasis, a bronchoscopy can be used to find blockages in the airway as well as the source of infection and to remove blockages.
If you have been diagnosed with bronchiectasis, Lung Health Services is here to help. Take the first step toward breathing better by calling (267) 500-5027 today.
