Bronchiectasis

What is Bronchiectasis?

Bronchiectasis is a chronic condition where the walls of the bronchi, the airways in the lungs, become damaged and dilated. This damage leads to a build-up of mucus, making it hard to clear the airways and increasing the risk of lung infections.

What Are the Symptoms of Bronchiectasis?

The symptoms of bronchiectasis can vary, but common signs include:

Chronic cough that produces mucus, sometimes associated with bleeding
Shortness of breath
Wheezing
Chest pain
Frequent lung infections
Fatigue

What Causes Bronchiectasis?

Bronchiectasis can be caused by:

Severe or repeated lung infections
Immune system disorders
Genetic conditions such as cystic fibrosis or primary ciliary dyskinesia
Blockages in the airways
Impaired airway clearance

UR Medicine's Treatments for Bronchiectasis

UR Medicine’s Bronchiectasis and NTM Center at the Mary Parkes Pulmonary Center offers specialized treatment for bronchiectasis with coordinated collaboration of departments across the medical center.

How is Bronchiectasis Diagnosed?

To diagnose bronchiectasis, your healthcare provider will do a thorough evaluation, which includes:

Pulmonary function test to measure how well your lungs are working.
Chest imaging tests that will show the damage to the airways.
Sputum test to collect mucus for microbiology analysis.
Laboratory tests to evaluate the immune system.

How Is Bronchiectasis Treated?

While there is no cure for bronchiectasis, treatments can help manage symptoms and reduce risk for future lung infections. Common treatments include:

Bronchodilators to open airways.
Antibiotics: This may be a complex regimen, and you may be referred to an infectious disease expert for evaluation, including for nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) disease.
Airway Clearance Techniques: Methods like chest physiotherapy to help clear mucus from the lungs.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation: A program that includes exercise, education, and support.
Surgery: In severe cases, surgery may be needed to remove damaged areas of the lung.

What Sets Us Apart?

UR Medicine is an Associate Care Center as a part of the Bronchiectasis and NTM Care Center Network through the COPD Foundation. As an academic medical center, we can offer patients access to cutting-edge research and world-renowned experts in lung diseases.

At UR Medicine, we have a multidisciplinary committee that meets regularly to ensure an appropriate and timely diagnosis for each of our patients. If you need pulmonary rehabilitation, our team also works closely with you to create a customized exercise routine and care plan. This helps you maintain the benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation long after you finish the program. 