Bronchiectasis
The most common symptom of bronchiectasis is a persistent cough that brings up a large amount of phlegm on a daily basis.
The phlegmcan be clear, pale yellow or yellow-greenish in colour. Other peoplemay only occasionallycough up small amounts of phlegm, or none at all.
Other symptoms may include:
If youdevelop a lung infection, your symptoms usually get worsewithin a few days. This is known as an infective exacerbation and it can cause:
You may also:
If you haven't previously beendiagnosed with bronchiectasis and you develop a persistent cough, visit your GP for advice.
While persistent coughing may not necessarily be the result of bronchiectasis, it requires further investigation.
If you've been previously diagnosed with bronchiectasis and you begin to experience symptoms that suggest you have a lung infection, contact your GP. You'll usually need treatment with antibiotics .
Some people with bronchiectasis are given a stock of antibiotics as a precaution, in case they suddenly develop a lung infection.
Some people with bronchiectasis develop a severe lung infection that may need to be treated in hospital.
Signs and symptoms of serious lung infection include:
If you experience any of the above, phone the healthcare professional in charge of your care immediately. This may be your GP, a doctor who specialises in lung conditions (pulmonologist) or a specialist nurse.
If this isn't possible, then phone NHS 111 or your local out-of-hours service .
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.
The most common symptom of bronchiectasis is a persistent cough that brings up a large amount of phlegm on a daily basis.
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.
You should see your GP for advice if you develop a persistent cough so they can look for a possible cause.
The damage to the lungs associated with bronchiectasis is permanent, but treatment can help prevent the condition getting worse.
In some cases, people with bronchiectasis can develop serious complications that require emergency treatment.