Bronchiectasis is the abnormal and permanent scarring of the airways of the lung. Often in the aftermath of an infection, little outpouchings form in the small airways. They become dilated, resembling grape-like clusters, rather than smooth and tapered branches on a tree. As a result mucus pools in these dilated pockets, collecting and serving as a pleasant home for bacteria to fester and grow. This creates a cycle of infection causing more damage, more mucus, and the propogation of more bacteria. Soon the lung is virtually drowning in a flood of thick, green pus that can not be cleared normally. The mucus buildup can subsequently block the airways with mucus plugs, bringing about further inflammation.
Consequences of bronchiectasis
- Chronic mucus production or chronic bronchitis
- Pneumonia.
- Bleeding from the lungs (hemoptysis). The little pus pocket perforates into the tiny blood vessels lining the airways.
- Chronic fever
- Weight loss
What causes the initial damage to the lung that starts the cycle of bronchiectasis?
- Cystic fibrosis
- Tuberculosis
- Cancer
- Chronic aspiration
- Severe pneumonia that heals with localized or sometimes generalized scarring
Treatment
- Chronic antibiotics
- Bronchodilators
- Mucolytics
- Special cough techniques to bring up the mucus.
