Bronchiectasis
Complications of bronchiectasis
Source: NHS
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In some cases, people with bronchiectasis can develop serious complications that require emergency treatment.
Coughing up large amounts of blood
A rare, but serious, complication of bronchiectasis is coughing up large amounts of blood (the medical term for this is massive haemoptysis). This can occur when a section of one of the blood vessels supplying the lungs suddenly splits open.
Symptoms that may indicate massive haemoptysis include:
- coughing up more than 100ml of blood in a 24-hour period 100ml is roughly equivalent to a third of a can of drink
- breathing difficulties caused by blood obstructing your airways
- feeling lightheaded, dizzy and having cold, clammy skin caused by rapid blood loss
Massive haemoptysis is a medical emergency. If you think someoneis experiencing massive haemoptysis, then call 999 for an ambulance.
A person with massive haemoptysis needs to be admitted to hospital and a tube may need to be placed into their throat to assist them with their breathing.
A procedure called a bronchial artery embolisation (BAE), carried out by specialist radiology doctors, will then be required to stop the bleeding. During a BAE, a special dye is injected into your arteries so they show up clearly on X-ray .
Then, using X-ray scans as a guide, the source of the bleeding is located and injected with tiny particles, around the size of a grain of sand, that will help clog the vesselup and stop the bleeding.
Articles for Bronchiectasis
Causes of bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis is caused by the airways of the lungs becoming damaged and widened. This can be due to an infection or another condition. Sometimes, the cause is not known.
Complications of bronchiectasis
In some cases, people with bronchiectasis can develop serious complications that require emergency treatment.
Diagnosing bronchiectasis
You should see your GP for advice if you develop a persistent cough so they can look for a possible cause.
Introduction
Bronchiectasis is a long-term condition where the airways of the lungs become abnormally widened, leading to a build-up of excess mucus that can make the lungs more vulnerable to infection.
Symptoms of bronchiectasis
The most common symptom of bronchiectasis is a persistent cough that brings up a large amount of phlegm on a daily basis.
Treating bronchiectasis
The damage to the lungs associated with bronchiectasis is permanent, but treatment can help prevent the condition getting worse.