What to do if bronchiectasis causes chest tightness?

Written by Yang Feng
Pulmonology
Updated on September 20, 2024
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Patients with bronchiectasis often experience chest tightness, usually due to infections and a decline in lung function, so an initial effective pulmonary imaging examination is necessary. If an infection is present, actively controlling the infection can alleviate symptoms. Furthermore, lung function tests should be further refined. If there is concomitant ventilatory dysfunction and reduced lung function, inhaling bronchodilators or corticosteroids can improve symptoms. Since bronchiectasis is incurable once diagnosed, effective prevention is also very important. In summary, the causes of chest tightness in bronchiectasis are infections and decreased lung function.

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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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Is bronchiectasis dangerous?

Whether bronchiectasis is dangerous depends on the extent of the patient's bronchiectasis and whether they have other comorbidities. If the patient's bronchiectasis is relatively limited and actively treated, they can still survive for a long time. Clinically, we often see elderly people in their seventies or eighties with bronchiectasis, but their medical history can often span decades and even trace back to childhood. In such cases, bronchiectasis does not pose a significant danger to their lifespan. However, if the bronchiectasis is more extensive and has damaged lung function, it can lead to respiratory failure, pulmonary heart disease, and other dangerous conditions, possibly resulting in death. Additionally, bronchiectasis can cause severe hemoptysis. If severe hemoptysis occurs suddenly, it is generally difficult to rescue in time, severely affecting their prognosis and can cause death within a short time, within minutes.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
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Is bronchiectasis easy to treat?

Bronchiectasis is a complication mainly caused by chronic inflammation of the respiratory tract and is clinically difficult to treat. Symptoms can be alleviated through certain medications or physical manipulations. First, it's important to maintain clear airways and choose medications that can dilute mucus. During the acute phase of inflammation, antibacterial drugs should be chosen for treatment, such as penicillin, which can be administered via muscle injection or intravenously. Surgery is the only curative treatment for bronchiectasis. (Medication use should be based on specific circumstances and under the guidance of a doctor.)

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How is bronchiectasis treated?

The treatment of bronchiectasis mainly includes medical treatment and surgical treatment. Medical treatment primarily aims to control infection and promote the drainage of sputum. Antibiotics are crucial for controlling infections, initially based on empirical therapy. Adjustments can be made accordingly if results from sputum culture and drug sensitivity tests are available. Secondly, to promote sputum drainage, we can use postural drainage or mechanical vibration to expel sputum. Expectorant medications such as ambroxol and bromhexine, or nebulized inhalation therapy may also be utilized. Thirdly, bronchodilators can be used to relieve asthma symptoms and ease the patient's discomfort. If the patient has hemoptysis, hemostatic treatment should be provided. Surgical treatment is primarily considered for patients with localized bronchiectasis and when medical treatment is ineffective, in which case surgical resection may be considered.

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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.