"Bronchiectasis is a chronic lung disease. It is caused by a permanent widening and thickening of the airways called bronchi. These thick bronchi can cause mucus to build up in places where air normally flows and risk infection."
Bronchiectasis is a chronic lung disease. It is caused by a permanent widening and thickening of the airways called bronchi. These thick bronchi can cause mucus to build up where there is normally airflow and risk infection.
The disease tends to progress over time and eventually presents with intolerable symptoms. These can include symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties, bad breath, frequent lung infections, frequent flu infections, sputum accumulation and morning coughs, and developmental delays in children.
Treatment of these symptoms depends on the diagnosis of bronchiectasis, the severity of the symptoms and the general health of the patient.
Bronchiectasis often develops after lung infections in childhood. However, there are also hereditary and congenital aspects.
If left untreated, hemoptysis (blood coming from the mouth) is a common symptom. It may cause damage to other organ systems in the future.
Bronchiectasis Diagnosis
Bronchiectasis is diagnosed when your doctor assesses your symptoms and medical history, performs a physical examination and runs a series of tests. These tests may include lung function tests, blood tests, chest X-rays and computed tomography (CT) scans. Plain chest radiography can often be insufficient. A definitive diagnosis is made with a chest CT scan. Computed tomography is especially helpful in the diagnosis and treatment of collapsed lungs.
Bronchiectasis Treatment
Treatment of bronchiectasis depends on the severity of the patient’s symptoms, the cause of bronchiectasis and the patient’s general health. Treatment options may include medication, breathing exercises, physiotherapy, surgery and symptom management.
Definitive treatment is surgery for non-progressed regional bronchiectasis. Unless it is widespread throughout the lung, the diseased tissue should be removed, usually by closed surgery
Can VATS (closed surgery) be performed in bronchiectasis?
Yes, closed surgery can be performed as in other lung diseases. Whether it is a lobectomy or a pneumonectomy, closed surgery can be performed. In the link below, an interesting bronchiectasis surgery performed by closed method and published internationally is presented.(https://www.ctsnet.org/article/vats-pneumonectomy-destroyed-lung).
Bronchiectasis
Medications
Bronchiectasis medications include antibiotics, bronchodilators, corticosteroids and mucolytics. These medications are prescribed depending on the severity of symptoms, type of infection and other medical conditions of the patient.
Bronchiectasis Physiotherapy
Bronchiectasis physiotherapy is a series of exercises and treatments designed to reduce the patient's symptoms and improve respiratory function. These therapies may include postural drainage, percussion, vibration and breathing exercises.
Bronchiectasis Breathing Exercises
Bronchiectasis patients can improve their respiratory function by practicing breathing exercises. These exercises strengthen the patient's respiratory muscles and help clear secretions from the lungs more effectively.
Bronchiectasis Respiratory Hygiene
Patients with bronchiectasis should maintain respiratory hygiene. They should wash their hands regularly to avoid infections, stay away from sick people and wear a mask to protect their airways.
Complications of Bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis can cause serious complications. These complications include frequent infections, empyema, amyloid deposits in the kidney and other organs, brain abscess, bronchopleural fistulas, blood from the mouth and sepsis.
Bronchiectasis and COPD are linked. COPD can worsen the symptoms of bronchiectasis by narrowing the bronchi.
Bronchiectasis and VATS
VATS (closed surgery) can be used for bronchiectasis surgery. VATS can be used to treat bronchiectasis as well as other lung diseases. For more information, see the VATS section.
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