Symptoms of bronchiectasis

Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
Updated on September 16, 2024
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Bronchiectasis exhibits many symptoms, but the most common are chronic cough and sputum production. The amount of sputum in bronchiectasis can vary greatly from person to person, and to some extent, it can reflect the severity of the condition. Some patients may have significant coughing and sputum production, with sputum amounts reaching over one hundred milliliters per day. In others, the condition may be more stable, with only a few milliliters of sputum per day. Additionally, patients with bronchiectasis may experience hemoptysis, which often recurs and can manifest as blood-streaked sputum, minor bleeding, or sudden severe bleeding. Significant bleeding can be particularly dangerous, potentially leading to death within minutes. Bronchiectasis can also cause recurrent lung infections and chronic long-term infection, which may be accompanied by fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, anemia, and other symptoms.

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Written by Li Tao
Pulmonology
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How is bronchiectasis treated?

Bronchiectasis refers to the deformation and dilation of the bronchi due to chronic inflammation and fibrosis of the bronchi and surrounding lung tissue, which damages the muscles and elasticity of the bronchial walls. Clinically, this condition is known as bronchiectasis. The most typical symptoms include long-term coughing, coughing up large amounts of purulent sputum, and repeated instances of coughing up blood among others. Once bronchiectasis is diagnosed, it needs to be treated: First, we can clear the secretions from the bronchi, usually through nebulization to thin the mucus, and bronchoscopy or other local irrigation methods to clear the secretions inside. Second, after bronchiectasis occurs, we need to perform anti-inflammatory treatment for the bacteria infesting the bronchi, usually using sensitive antibiotics for treatment. Third, it is necessary to enhance the patient’s own immunity to prevent frequent recurrent infections. Fourth, if conservative treatment is not effective, surgical methods can be used to remove parts of the dilated bronchi, thereby achieving the treatment purpose.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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How to check for bronchiectasis?

How to check for bronchiectasis: generally, corresponding physical examinations and laboratory tests are used for diagnosis. Early physical examinations may not show positive signs. When the condition is severe or secondary bacterial infection occurs, fixed and persistent moist rales can be heard in the affected areas. Some patients may show signs of oxygen deficiency, such as clubbing and cyanosis. During acute infections, routine blood tests will show increased white blood cell counts and neutrophil counts. Sputum examination may reveal elastic fibers and pus cells. A chest X-ray can show thickened and disordered lung periphery, and typical lesions may appear as honeycomb-like curly shadows.

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Written by Li Tao
Pulmonology
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Can bronchiectasis be cured?

Bronchiectasis refers to the deformation and persistent dilation of the bronchi due to various inflammations and fibrosis in the patient's bronchi and surrounding lung tissue, which destroys the surrounding muscles and elastic tissues. Bronchiectasis is treatable, and usually, symptomatic treatment and fundamental treatment targeting the cause can be employed. Symptomatic treatment involves anti-infection treatment for infections caused by the dilation. If the patient produces a large amount of phlegm, treatments to facilitate expectoration can be given. Additionally, if the patient's dilated bronchi repeatedly cause coughing, expectoration, and hemoptysis, and if internal medical treatment is ineffective, part of the dilated bronchi can be surgically removed to achieve therapeutic goals.

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Written by Zou Zhong Lan
Pulmonology
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The first choice for the diagnosis of bronchiectasis

For the diagnosis of bronchiectasis, we can rely on the symptoms of the patients such as chronic cough, coughing up large amounts of purulent sputum, repeated hemoptysis, and history of lung infections. Physical examination of the lungs may reveal fixed and persistent localized wet crackles. For auxiliary examinations, we can combine X-ray and CT scans to find imaging changes consistent with bronchiectasis and make a diagnosis. The preferred method for a definitive diagnosis of bronchiectasis is high-resolution CT, and the diagnosis can be made based on the results of a high-resolution CT scan.

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
1min 3sec home-news-image

Symptoms of bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis exhibits many symptoms, but the most common are chronic cough and sputum production. The amount of sputum in bronchiectasis can vary greatly from person to person, and to some extent, it can reflect the severity of the condition. Some patients may have significant coughing and sputum production, with sputum amounts reaching over one hundred milliliters per day. In others, the condition may be more stable, with only a few milliliters of sputum per day. Additionally, patients with bronchiectasis may experience hemoptysis, which often recurs and can manifest as blood-streaked sputum, minor bleeding, or sudden severe bleeding. Significant bleeding can be particularly dangerous, potentially leading to death within minutes. Bronchiectasis can also cause recurrent lung infections and chronic long-term infection, which may be accompanied by fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, anemia, and other symptoms.