Learn About Bronchiectasis

What is the definition of Bronchiectasis?

Bronchiectasis is a disease in which the large airways in the lungs are damaged. This causes the airways to become permanently wider.

Bronchiectasis can be present at birth or infancy or develop later in life.

What are the alternative names for Bronchiectasis?

Acquired bronchiectasis; Congenital bronchiectasis; Chronic lung disease - bronchiectasis

What are the causes of Bronchiectasis?

Bronchiectasis is often caused by inflammation or infection of the airways that keeps coming back.

Sometimes it begins in childhood after having a severe lung infection or inhaling a foreign object. Breathing in food particles can also lead to this condition.

Other causes of bronchiectasis can include:

  • Cystic fibrosis, a disease that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs
  • Autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease
  • Allergic lung diseases
  • Leukemia and related cancers
  • Immune deficiency syndromes
  • Primary ciliary dyskinesia (another congenital disease)
  • Infection with non-tuberculous mycobacteria
  • As a complication of bronchiolitis obliterans
  • Asthma or chronic obstructive lung disease (uncommon)
What are the symptoms of Bronchiectasis?

Symptoms develop over time. They may occur months or years after the event that causes the bronchiectasis.

Long-term (chronic) cough with large amounts of foul smelling sputum is the main symptom of bronchiectasis. Other symptoms may include:

  • Breath odor
  • Coughing up blood (less common in children)
  • Fatigue
  • Paleness
  • Shortness of breath that gets worse with exercise
  • Weight loss
  • Wheezing
  • Low grade fever and night sweats
  • Clubbing of fingers (rare, depends on cause)
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What are the current treatments for Bronchiectasis?

Treatment is aimed at:

  • Controlling infections and sputum
  • Relieving airway blockage
  • Preventing the problem from becoming worse
  • Treating the underlying cause (for example modulator therapy for people with cystic fibrosis)

Daily drainage to remove sputum is part of treatment. A respiratory therapist can show the person coughing exercises that will help.

Medicines are often prescribed. These include:

  • Antibiotics to treat infections
  • Bronchodilators to open up airways
  • Expectorants to help loosen and cough up thick sputum

Surgery to remove (resect) the lung may be needed if medicine does not work and the disease is in a small area, or if the person has a lot of bleeding in the lungs. It is more commonly considered if there is no genetic or acquired predisposition to bronchiectasis (for example, more likely to consider if there is bronchiectasis in one segment of the lung only because of prior obstruction).

In severe cases, lung transplantation might be needed.

Who are the top Bronchiectasis Local Doctors?
Intensive Care Medicine | Sleep Medicine | Pulmonary Medicine
Intensive Care Medicine | Sleep Medicine | Pulmonary Medicine

Spectrum Health Primary Care Partners

605 Oak St, 
Big Rapids, MI 
 46.2 mi
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Wael Berjaoui is an Intensive Care Medicine specialist and a Sleep Medicine provider in Big Rapids, Michigan. Dr. Berjaoui and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Bronchiectasis. His top areas of expertise are Pulmonary Hypertension, Pulmonary Veno-Occlusive Disease, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Cerebral Hypoxia, and Gastrostomy. Dr. Berjaoui is currently accepting new patients.

Intensive Care Medicine | Pulmonary Medicine
Intensive Care Medicine | Pulmonary Medicine

Spectrum Health Primary Care Partners

5 Atkinson Dr, 302 Corewell Health Medical, 
Ludington, MI 
 65.6 mi
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Marc Mcclelland is an Intensive Care Medicine specialist and a Pulmonary Medicine provider in Ludington, Michigan. Dr. Mcclelland and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Bronchiectasis. His top areas of expertise are Cystic Fibrosis, Lung Adenocarcinoma, ALK-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, and Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC). Dr. Mcclelland is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
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Internal Medicine
Internal Medicine
2009 Holton Rd, 
Muskegon, MI 
 87.7 mi
Accepting New Patients

Herbert Miller is an Internal Medicine provider in Muskegon, Michigan. Dr. Miller and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Bronchiectasis. His top areas of expertise are Glucocorticoid-Remediable Aldosteronism, Hypertension, Familial Hypertension, and Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). Dr. Miller is currently accepting new patients.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Bronchiectasis?

The outlook depends on the specific cause of the disease. With treatment, most people live without major disability and the disease progresses slowly.

What are the possible complications of Bronchiectasis?

Complications of bronchiectasis may include:

  • Cor pulmonale
  • Coughing up blood
  • Low oxygen levels (in severe cases)
  • Recurrent pneumonia
  • Depression
When should I contact a medical professional for Bronchiectasis?

Contact your provider if:

  • Chest pain or shortness of breath gets worse
  • There is a change in the color or amount of phlegm you cough up, or if it is bloody
  • Other symptoms get worse or do not improve with treatment
How do I prevent Bronchiectasis?

You can reduce your risk by promptly treating lung infections.

Childhood vaccines a yearly flu vaccine, and COVID-19 vaccines help reduce the chance of some infections. Avoiding upper respiratory infections, smoking, and pollution may also reduce your risk of getting this infection.

What are the latest Bronchiectasis Clinical Trials?
A Phase II, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo- Controlled Study of Ensifentrine in Subjects with Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis

Summary: This study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study designed to assess the efficacy and safety of ensifentrine inhalation suspension (3 mg) delivered twice daily via standard jet nebulizer over at least 24 weeks, compared to placebo, in subjects with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFBE).

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A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Parallel-group, Proof-of-Concept (PoC) Study to Assess the Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of Itepekimab, in Participants With Non-cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis

Summary: ACT18018 is a multinational, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, Phase 2 study with 3 treatment groups. The purpose of this study is to evaluate efficacy, safety and tolerability with 2 dosing regimens of itepekimab compared with placebo in male and/or female participants with NCFB aged 18 years of age up to 85 years of age (inclusive). Study details include: * The study ...

Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: July 31, 2022
Published By: Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, MHS, Paul F. Harron, Jr. Professor of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

Chang AB, Redding GJ. Bronchiectasis and chronic suppurative lung disease. In: Wilmott RW, Deterding R, Li A, et al, eds. Kendig's Disorders of the Respiratory Tract in Children. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 26.

O'Donnell AE. Bronchiectasis, atelectasis, cysts, and localized lung disorders. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 84.

Solomon GM, Chan ED. Bronchiectasis. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 69.