What is Bronchiectasis?
Bronchiectasis is a long-term condition which causes the airways to become widened and damaged, leading to a build-up of mucus that can make the lungs more vulnerable to infection. The most common symptoms of bronchiectasis include a persistent cough that usually means you brings up mucus and shortness of breath. Damaged airways can’t clear the mucus like they are supposed to. Bacteria can then grow in the airways causing more inflammation and damage to your lungs. The severity of symptoms can vary widely. Some people have symptoms now and again and others can have persistent, daily symptoms.
Bronchiectasis is thought to be uncommon. It is estimated 1:100 adults in the UK have the condition. It can affect anyone at any age, but symptoms often don’t develop until middle age.
Living with bronchiectasis can be stressful and frustrating, but most people living with the condition have a normal life expectancy.
Click on the following links for more information on what bronchiectasis is:
How is Bronchiectasis treated?
The damage caused to the lungs by bronchiectasis is permanent, but treatment can relieve symptoms and stop the damage getting worse. The main treatments include:
- Exercises and special devices to help you clear mucus out of your lungs.
- Medicine to help improve the airflow within the lungs and to thin the mucus making it easier to cough it out.
- Antibiotics to treat any lung infections that develop. Some people can be prescribed long-term antibiotics.
- If bronchiectasis is caused by an underlying condition, treating the condition may help your symptoms.
Ayrshire & Arran Respiratory App
All of this information is also available on our Ayrshire & Arran Respiratory app which you can get by downloading the main NHS Ayrshire & Arran app from your Apple or Android app store and then selecting ‘Respiratory’ from the list.