The test that confirms bronchiectasis is a CT scan.
The gold standard test for bronchiectasis is a CT scan or chest computed tomography which can show abnormal widening and thickening of the airway wall.
Bronchiectasis cannot become cancerous itself although it can be associated with and lead to a risk of the development of lung cancer in rare cases.
You can strengthen your lungs with bronchiectasis by doing breathing exercises such as diaphragmatic breathing and pursed lip breathing which helps clear mucus and improve your lung capacity.
The color of the mucus in bronchiectasis can be yellow-greenish, pale yellow or clear.
The most common symptom of bronchiectasis is a persistent cough which brings up a large amount of phlegm on a daily basis.
The red flags of bronchiectasis are coughing up mucus, wheezing, clubbing or rounded appearance of the tips of your toes or fingers and coughing up blood with mucus that is caused by chronic inflammation of your airways.
The reason you get so tired with bronchiectasis is because your body is using a lot of energy to fight the infections and also to cough and breathe which leads to fatigue.
The fatigue may also be worse if you have trouble sleeping due to other symptoms and you may also experience chest discomfort as well as pain, tightness or a feeling of fullness in your chest.
Things that worsens bronchiectasis are staph infections, measles, the flu, pertussis and pneumococcal disease.
Eating processed foods, foods high in sugar and drinking alcohol and being inactive as well as smoking or being around secondhand smoke also worsens bronchiectasis.
Things you should not do with bronchiectasis are smoke or be around secondhand smoke, drink alcohol, eat unhealthy, eat processed foods, eat saturated fats.
With bronchiectasis you should stay hydrated and drink plenty of water to help prevent mucus build up and maintain a healthy diet that is low in sodium, low in added sugars, low in saturated fats and refined grains.
Bronchiectasis is not classed as a terminal illness as many people live full lives and lifespans with bronchiectasis.
However some people can have very severe symptoms of bronchiectasis which can be fatal if the lungs stop working as they should.
Lungs do not heal after bronchiectasis as any damage to the lungs caused by bronchiectasis is permanent and not reversible.
However treatment is available to help the symptoms and prevent the lung damage from bronchiectasis from becoming worse.
The main treatments for the lungs to treat bronchiectasis include exercises and devices to help clear mucus from the lungs.
The three stages of bronchiectasis are cylindrical or tubular and varicose or cystic bronchiectasis.
The most common complaint in patients with bronchiectasis is a cough that is persistent that is productive of mucopurulent or purulent sputum.
The feared complication of bronchiectasis is respiratory failure which happens when not enough oxygen passes from the lungs and into your blood and can cause your skin to turn a bluish color as well as severe shortness of breath.
The best treatment of bronchiectasis is taking oral antibiotics which is usually taken for 14 days to get rid of the bronchiectasis.
The most common cause of bronchiectasis is cystic fibrosis.
Although there are other causes and triggers of bronchiectasis which include autoimmune diseases, immunodeficiency disorders like HIV or diabetes and COPD and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency that can also cause COPD in some people.
Bronchiectasis is a lung condition that is long term where the airways of the lungs become widened, leading to a build-up of excess mucus that can make the lungs more vulnerable to infection.
The most common symptoms of bronchiectasis include a persistent cough that usually brings up phlegm (sputum) shortness of breath.
When it's properly monitored and treated most people with bronchiectasis have a normal life expectancy.
People with bronchiectasis are more likely to die because of other medical conditions that affect all people (like heart disease or cancer) than to die directly from bronchiectasis.
Oral antibiotics are often used as the main treatment for repeated lung infections ( exacerbations ) due to bronchiectasis.
The normal course of treatment for bronchiectasis is 14 days.
Bronchiectasis has no cure.
Although, most people who have bronchiectasis can enjoy a good quality of life and manage the condition with stepwise treatment , including clearing their lungs, exercising, and taking steps to lower the chance of lung infection.
People with bronchiectasis also suffer from lung secretions which lead to dehydration and an increased risk of infection.
Drinking plenty of water will not only help keep you hydrated, but it will also assisting in thinning the mucus for easier removal.
Drink around 6 to 8 glasses of water daily and spread over the entire day.
The most common symptom that should prompt suspicion of a diagnosis of bronchiectasis is a persistent cough productive of mucopurulent or purulent sputum.
When you have bronchiectasis you should reduce your intake of foods high in sugar and fat content, and reduce portion sizes and snacking.