There are three primary components to a typical course of bronchiectasis treatment. They are to keep airways free of obstructions, manage bronchial secretions and infections and ward off any complications associated with the condition. Specially prescribed exercises, medications and, in severe cases, surgery are the primary measures taken for effective bronchiectasis treatment. These methods are meant to be long-term measures for prevention and maintenance of bronchiectasis.
Removal of bronchial secretions is one of the basic daily tasks of bronchiectasis treatment. Most patients are prescribed specific coughing exercises that will aid in draining any blockage that has built up over the past day. An inflatable chest wall oscillation vest may also be used. This piece of equipment, which is worn like a life vest, expands and then vibrates in order to shake loose and remove obstructions.
Medication can also be used as a part of regular bronchiectasis treatment. The use of a short- or long-acting bronchodilator can aid in relaxing the muscles around the airways, thus easing passage of air through the pathway. Inhaled steroid medications work to ward off and reduce swelling of the airways. Some inhalers contain a combination of both steroid and bronchodilator ingredients.
Another important element of bronchiectasis treatment is to manage infection. Many patients will experience recurring infections despite daily efforts to manage the condition. In addition to bronchodilators, expectorants and antibiotics can be prescribed to fight an infection.
With more severe cases of bronchiectasis, resective surgery may be necessary. Indicators for this treatment include profuse bleeding or a persistent blockage in one portion of the lung. It may also be performed if the patient does not respond to medication.
Bronchiectasis is a condition that impairs the large airways through widening and general destruction. It is called congenital bronchiectasis if a child is born with the condition. Acquired bronchiectasis appears in subsequent years. The primary causes are recurring problems in the airways such as infections or inflammation, sometimes brought on by the inhalation of foreign particles. Cystic fibrosis, immunodeficiency syndromes and cillary dyskinesia can also bring on the condition.
The symptoms of bronchiectasis include breathing problems that increase with physical activity, wheezing and a chronic productive cough that worsens if the patient is lying sideways. A patient may also cough up blood or mucus that has a bad smell. Skin can be pale or have blue tinge. Bad breath, loss of weight and fatigue are other common symptoms.
