Bronchiectasis
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Explore overview, symptoms, causes, treatment, diagnosis, prevention, and FAQ articles for this condition.
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What is Bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis is a chronic condition in which the bronchi, the larger air passages that carry air into and out of the lungs, become abnormally widened, damaged, and less able to clear mucus. In healthy lungs, these airways have a smooth structure…
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Symptoms of Bronchiectasis
What are the symptoms of Bronchiectasis? The condition most often causes a chronic cough, repeated production of thick mucus, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest discomfort, and episodes of chest infection. In many people, these symptoms fluctuate, becoming more noticeable during flare-ups…
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Causes of Bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis develops when the airways of the lungs become abnormally widened and permanently damaged, usually after repeated injury to the bronchial wall. The most important causes are conditions or exposures that disrupt airway clearance, promote persistent infection, or impair normal immune…
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Treatment for Bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis is treated with a combination of airway clearance techniques, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory therapy in selected cases, bronchodilators when airflow obstruction is present, and management of any underlying cause or contributing condition. The central aim of treatment is to interrupt the biological…
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Diagnosis of Bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis is diagnosed by combining clinical suspicion with objective testing, most importantly high-resolution imaging of the airways. The disorder is defined by permanent widening and distortion of the bronchi caused by chronic inflammation, repeated infection, and impaired clearance of mucus. Because…
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Prevention of Bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis is a chronic structural disease of the airways in which the bronchi become abnormally widened and damaged. Once this damage is established, it is usually permanent, so prevention is not mainly about reversing the condition. Instead, prevention focuses on reducing…
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FAQ about Bronchiectasis
This FAQ explains bronchiectasis in plain language, including what it is, why it develops, how it is diagnosed, and how it is managed over time. The condition can be confusing because it often causes repeated chest infections, ongoing mucus production, and…