Bronchiectasis: causes, symptoms and treatment & bull; hello healthy

Definition

What is bronchiectasis?

Bronchiectasis is permanent damage to the bronchial tubes of the lungs and enlarge abnormally. The damaged airways then become a "home" for bacteria and mucus to accumulate in the lungs.

If bacteria and mucus have already invaded the entire lungs, they can lead to infection and obstruction of the respiratory tract.

The lungs consist of small branched airways known as bronchi. Oxygen travels through these airways and ends up in tiny pockets called alveoli. From there, the oxygen will then be absorbed into the blood.

The inner walls of the bronchi are covered with sticky mucus which serves to protect the walls of the respiratory tract from foreign particles and germs.

Quoted from the website of the United Kingdom public health service, the NHS, in bronchiectasis, one or more bronchial tubes dilate abnormally. That is, more mucus than usual. This makes the bronchi more susceptible to infection.

If coupled with infection, there is a chance that the bronchi may become damaged again, causing mucus to build up. As a result, the risk of infection will increase.

Over time, this repeated cycle of infections can gradually cause damage to the lungs.

Bronchiectasis can be treated, but the damage that has occurred cannot be reversed. You can still live a normal life with proper care. This condition may recur one day and must be addressed immediately so that oxygen intake is not cut off throughout the body.

How common is this condition?

This condition is very common. Generally, more attack women than men. Bronchiectasis can occur in people of any age. This disease can be treated by reducing risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of bronchiectasis?

Quoted from the American Lung Association, the common symptoms that appear when you have bronchiectasis are:

• Cough with yellow or green phlegm every day
• Shortness of breath that worsens as symptoms recur
• Feeling tired, especially when symptoms recur
• Fever and / or chills, usually appearing when symptoms recur
• Shortness of breath or wheezing during symptom relapse
• Coughing up blood or mucus mixed with blood (hemoptysis)
• Chest pain
• Blue skin
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Thickening of the skin under the nails and feet

There may be signs and symptoms that weren't mentioned. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have any signs or symptoms above or any other questions, please consult your doctor.

Everyone's body is different. Don't confuse yourself with other people just because the symptoms are the same. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.

Cause

What are the causes of bronchiectasis?

The causes of bronchiectasis are infections or medical conditions, such as pneumonia or cystic fibrosis . This condition can cause injury or permanent changes to the airways (bronchi).

Pneumonia and cystic fibrosis causes an overproduction of lung mucus — an ideal home for infection-causing viruses and bacteria to breed. Cystic fibrosis in the lungs will also cause repeated infections.

In addition, there are several things that can cause this condition, including:

• Infection of the lungs. This condition is the main cause of bronchiectasis, including viral infections such as flu and bacterial infections such as staph or tuberculosis.
• Inhalation of foreign objects or food
• Humoral immunodeficiency (low levels of infection-fighting protein in the blood)
• Irritable bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis)
• Rheumatological disease (rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren's disease)
• Alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency (the cause of COPD in some people)
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• HIV infection
• Inhaling stomach acid
• Gastric acid
• Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (a type of allergic inflammation of the lungs)

Risk factors

What puts me at risk for bronchiectasis?

There are several trigger factors that put you at risk for this condition, namely:

• Absence or dysfunction of CFTR protein in bronchial cells in people cystic fibrosis (CF)
• Have a systemic disease associated with bronchiectasis as mentioned above
• Chronic or severe lung infection (such as tuberculosis) that damages the respiratory tract.

Complications

What complications may occur due to bronchiectasis?

In some cases, bronchiectasis can cause a complication called massive hemoptysis. Massive hemoptysis is a condition that coughs up large amounts of blood. Symptoms of massive hemoptysis include:

• Cough more than 100 ml of blood (equivalent to one-third of a canned drink) within 24 hours
• Difficulty breathing due to blood blocking the airways
• Feel dizzy, have cold skin, and sweat.

Massive hemoptysis is an emergency condition. Immediately call an ambulance or go to the emergency room to the nearest hospital if you experience symptoms.

Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How is this disease diagnosed?

The diagnosis of bronchiectasis involves a physical examination and complete blood tests to find out the presence of infection in the body. The doctor will also listen to your lungs to check for any abnormal sounds that might indicate a blocked airway.

Other tests that are performed are:

• Sputum test, to check for viruses, fungi, or bacteria in the sputum sample.
• Chest X-ray or CT scan to see the condition of your lungs.
• Pulmonary function tests to find out how well air is flowing into the lungs.
• GuantilFERON blood test (IGRA) or Mantoux test to check for tuberculosis infection.
• Sweat test to detect cystic fibrosis .

How to treat bronchiectasis?

Bronchiectasis is a chronic condition for which there is no cure, but the symptoms can be controlled with a number of treatments such as physiotherapy and medications. Antibiotics and drugs to thin sputum can also be given in a series of bronchiectasis treatments.

With treatment, you can go about your day as normal.

Some of the common medications used to help treat this condition include:

1. Antibiotics

Common antibiotics are prescribed to treat bronchiectasis, to kill the bacteria that often infect the bronchi.

2. Macrolides

Macrolides are a type of antibiotic that not only kills certain types of bacteria, but also reduces bronchial inflammation.

3. Sputum thinner drugs

These drugs are given through a nebulizer, which is mixed with hypertonic saline solution so that it becomes small particles and is inhaled into the lungs. Medicines given through a nebulizer help thin the mucus in the bronchi so that they can be drained more easily.

4. Slime thinning device

This device has the ability to expel mucus. Some of these devices help the patient blow air into the device which causes the air to disperse in the bronchi, which helps destroy mucus.

Another device is easy to put on and shakes the chest to help thin mucus. Talk to your doctor about whether this tool is right for you.

In addition, the following treatment options may also address the condition:

• Oxygen therapy
• Hospitalize for severe exacerbations (worsening of symptoms)
• Operation
• Corticosteroid therapy
• Dietary supplements

Quoted from the website of the United Kingdom public health service, the NHS, surgery is usually performed for rare cases of bronchiectasis when other treatments have not worked.

Living with bronchiectasis can be stressful or frustrating, but most people with this condition have a normal life expectancy. However, in people who have very severe symptoms, bronchiectasis can be fatal if the lungs stop functioning.

Prevention

What can I do at home to prevent or treat bronchiectasis?

In order not to have bronchiectasis, it is very important to prevent infection and damage to the lungs.

Get vaccines as a child for measles and whooping cough to prevent infections associated with lung disease. Avoiding toxic fumes, gases, and other harmful substances that can also damage the lungs.

If when a child develops a lung infection, treatment of the infection must be appropriate and completed completely to maintain lung function and prevent lung damage in the future.

Here are some steps you can take at home to help prevent or treat bronchiectasis:

• Perform treatment as early as possible
• When you go outside, avoid polluted air and protect your lungs from chemical fumes
• Quitting smoking is important for the health of your lungs

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.