Meaning of bronchiectasis, symptoms, causes and what can be done (1)

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Bronchiectasis
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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. 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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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.

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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)

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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.

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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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