Bronchiectasis

The most common symptoms include:

• a chronic cough

• a lot of white, yellow, or green phlegm 

However, bronchiectasis can present differently in different people. Some may experience:

• a dry cough

• wheezing

• breathlessness

• fatigue

• blood-stained phlegm

The condition develops after you experience initial damage to your lungs. The damage can be caused by various other infections and conditions, including:

• inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), lupus (SLE), and Sjögren's syndrome

• pneumonia, whooping cough, measles, and tuberculosis (TB)

• cystic fibrosis

• asthma

• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Once the initial damage has occurred, you may be more prone to further infections and damage. This can make the condition worse if it’s not treated.

Risk factors

You have a higher chance of developing bronchiectasis if you:

• have a condition that affects your lungs or immune system

• are over 65

• are female

At your initial consultation, your consultant will ask you about your medical history and symptoms. They may also conduct a physical examination and listen to your lungs. 

To make a diagnosis, they may need to run some tests. 

The tests could include:

• imaging tests such as an X-ray or CT scan

• blood tests

• phlegm analysis

• lung function tests

• a genetic test

These tests will help your consultant make an accurate diagnosis of the cause of the condition. This will allow them to provide the best treatment and care.

There isn’t a guaranteed way to prevent bronchiectasis. But you can reduce your risk of developing it by:

• avoiding smoking, vaping, and breathing in gases, fumes, and pollution

• staying up to date with vaccinations such as flu, pneumonia, and measles

• treating any underlying or ongoing health conditions

Bronchiectasis can range from mild to severe. If your condition is mild and you get treatment to help you manage it, you shouldn’t experience any complications.

However, if your condition is more severe or is left untreated, it can be life-threatening. This is because it can lead to:

• a resistance to antibiotics

• bleeding in your blood vessels

• respiratory failure 

While treatment can’t cure the condition, it can help you manage it and reduce your symptoms to improve your quality of life.

Your treatment options will vary depending on how severe your condition is and whether there’s an underlying cause. 

Your consultant may recommend:

• physical therapy to teach you how to clear phlegm effectively

• medical devices that help you break down and clear phlegm 

• antibiotics to clear and/or prevent infections

• bronchodilators (medication that opens up the airways) through an inhaler or nebuliser

• oral medication to help break down your phlegm

• flu and pneumonia vaccinations

At Welbeck, our respiratory specialists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.