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Bronchiectasis
View original article on NHS Choices
Bronchiectasis is a condition where the airways in your lungs are damaged and produce a lot of phlegm (mucus). It cannot usually be cured, but treatment can help manage it.
Symptoms of bronchiectasis
The main symptoms of bronchiectasis are:
- a cough that does not go away
- coughing up a lot of phlegm (mucus) - the phlegm may be clear, white, yellow or green
- getting frequent chest infections, where your symptoms get worse for a few days or weeks and you may feel generally unwell
Other symptoms can include:
- wheezing
- shortness of breath
- noises when you breathe, such as crackling in your lungs, snoring sounds or high-pitched squeaks
- feeling very tired
- coughing up blood
- chest pain
Symptoms such as a cough or coughing up phlegm are common and can be caused by other conditions such as chest infections.
How bronchiectasis affects your life
Bronchiectasis affects everyone differently. How it affects you depends on how severe your symptoms are and how often you get chest infections.
It's also common to have bronchiectasis together with another condition that affects your lungs, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Some people find their condition gets worse and they get breathing problems that can be serious and affect their daily life. In rare cases it can be life-threatening.
But some people have less severe symptoms that can be managed well with treatment.
Causes of bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis happens when your airways are damaged by inflammation. They become wider than usual, and this causes phlegm (mucus) to build up. Too much phlegm can lead to chest infections.
There are many possible causes of damage to your airways, including:
For many people it's not clear what the cause is.
Help and support for bronchiectasis
As well as support from your healthcare team, you may find it helpful to get support from other people with bronchiectasis, either at a local support group or online.
There are also charities that can offer support and information about bronchiectasis.
Asthma and Lung UK
Information and support for anyone affected by lung conditions including bronchiectasis.
See a GP if:
- you think you could have bronchiectasis
- you've had a cough for more than 3 weeks
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:
- your cough is very bad or quickly gets worse - for example you're coughing up a lot of phlegm (mucus) every day
- you're coughing up a few small spots, flecks or streaks of blood, or there's blood in your phlegm
- you feel short of breath, or more short of breath than usual
- you've been diagnosed with bronchiectasis and you get symptoms of a chest infection, such as a high temperature or chest pain when you breathe or cough
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.
Call 999 or go to A&E if:
- you're coughing up more than just a few spots or streaks of blood - this could be a sign of serious bleeding in your lungs
- you have severe difficulty breathing - you're gasping, choking or not able to get words out
Do not drive to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
Bring any medicines you take with you.
How bronchiectasis is diagnosed
If you have symptoms of bronchiectasis a GP will listen to your chest.
They may arrange some tests such as:
- testing a sample of your phlegm (mucus) to check for an infection
- a chest X-ray
- a test where you breathe into a machine to check how well your lungs are working (spirometry test)
- blood tests
If these tests show you could have bronchiectasis, you'll be referred to a specialist for more tests such as a CT scan to confirm the diagnosis.
You may also need other tests to find the cause.
Treatment for bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis cannot usually be cured. The aim of treatment is to manage your symptoms and help stop them getting worse.
You'll be supported by a GP, nurse, physiotherapist, and sometimes a specialist doctor. You'll have check-ups and tests at least once a year. Your care team will work with you to develop a plan to help you manage your condition.
You may also need treatment for any conditions that have caused bronchiectasis.
Treatment to clear your chest
You'll see a specialist physiotherapist, who will teach you breathing techniques for clearing phlegm (mucus) from your lungs and airways. They may also recommend a hand-held device you breathe into that uses vibrations to help clear your chest.
You'll usually need to do these exercises every day. This helps to control your cough and reduce the risk of chest infections.
If your phlegm is difficult to cough up, your care team may recommend using a machine called a nebuliser to breathe in a salt solution before doing the exercises.
If you have problems with shortness of breath you may also be offered a course led by a physiotherapist, called pulmonary rehabilitation. This will include exercise classes and advice on managing your condition.
Medicines for bronchiectasis
You'll usually be asked to give your doctor a sample of phlegm when you're unwell or if your symptoms change. The sample will be checked for a chest infection, and if you have one you'll need to take antibiotics.
You may be given antibiotics to keep at home (a rescue pack) for when you get symptoms of a chest infection. Your care team will give you instructions on when to take them.
If you get more than 3 chest infections a year, a specialist may recommend you take antibiotics long term to help prevent them.
You may also be offered other medicines, such as inhalers to help your breathing.
Other treatments
If you have severe symptoms and medicines have not helped, you may be offered other treatments such as:
- breathing in oxygen through a mask or tube (oxygen therapy)
- surgery to treat damage to your lungs
- a lung transplant
Find out more
Things you can do to help with bronchiectasis
If you have bronchiectasis there are things you can do to help with symptoms and reduce the risk of chest infections.
Do
exercise regularly, to stay fit and help clear your lungs - your care team can give you exercise advice
eat a healthy, balanced diet and keep to a healthy weight - this can help with shortness of breath and preventing infections
wash your hands regularly, to help prevent infections
try to stay away from people with infections such as colds and flu
have regular vaccinations such as the flu vaccine every year, and the pneumococcal vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine as recommended by your GP
Find out more