lung and airway disorders
Bronchiectasis
Symptoms of Bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis can develop at any age. In most people, symptoms begin gradually, usually after a respiratory infection, and tend to worsen over the years. Most people develop a chronic cough that produces thick sputum. The amount and type of sputum depend on the extent of the disease and whether there is a complicating infection (often called a disease flare or exacerbation). Often, people have coughing spells only early in the morning and late in the day. Coughing Up Blood (hemoptysis) is common because the damaged airway walls are fragile and have increased numbers of blood vessels. Hemoptysis may be the first or only symptom. Recurrent fever or chest pain, with or without frequent bouts of Overview of Pneumonia , may also occur. People with widespread bronchiectasis may develop wheezing or shortness of breath. People whose bronchiectasis progresses to cor pulmonale or chronic People may have flares (exacerbations) of disease, sometimes with pneumonia. Exacerbations may result from a new or worsening infection. When an exacerbation occurs, people may have more severe cough, increased sputum production, or worsening of breathing difficulties. Respiratory infections Bacterial infections, such as those caused by Staphylococcus aureus Infections or Mycobacterial infections, such as Tuberculosis (TB) None Viral infections caused by Influenza (Flu) , Bronchial blockage Inhaled object Enlarged lymph nodes Lung tumor Lung surgery Mucus plugs (for example, due to Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis ) Inhalation injuries Injury from noxious fumes, gases, or particles Inhalation of stomach acid and food particles (for example, as a result of severe Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) or a swallowing disorder) Hereditary disorders Cystic Fibrosis (CF) None Primary ciliary dyskinesia, including Kartagener syndrome Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency None Marfan Syndrome None Immunologic abnormalities Immunoglobulin deficiency syndromes White blood cell dysfunction Complement deficiencies Certain autoimmune disorders, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) , Other conditions Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection None Diffuse panbronchiolitis (characterized by inflammation of the bronchioles throughout the lungs and chronic sinusitis) 