Airway Diseases
Bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis is a condition where the airways in the lungs become permanently widened and scarred, trapping mucus and making you more prone to chest infections. It requires ongoing management, but with the right care most people can maintain a good quality of life.
Symptoms to Watch
- Daily cough producing significant amounts of mucus or phlegm
- Recurring chest infections — more than two or three per year
- Breathlessness during everyday activities
- Wheezing or a rattling sensation in the chest
- Coughing up blood-streaked sputum
- Fatigue and feeling generally unwell, especially during flare-ups
How We Diagnose
- 1High-resolution CT scan of the chest — the main test to confirm and map the disease
- 2Sputum culture to identify the bacteria causing your infections
- 3Pulmonary function tests (spirometry) to measure how well your lungs are working
- 4Blood tests to check immune function and rule out underlying causes
- 5Bronchoscopy to examine the airways directly if needed
Your Treatment Plan
- Airway clearance techniques taught step-by-step by a physiotherapist
- Inhaled bronchodilators to ease breathing and help clear mucus
- Antibiotic courses — oral or inhaled — during infections and sometimes between them
- Mucolytic medicines to thin mucus and make it easier to cough up
- Pulmonary rehabilitation to improve stamina, strength, and quality of life
- Treatment of the underlying cause where one can be identified
When to See a Doctor
Book an appointment if you have a daily productive cough, repeated chest infections, or your breathlessness is getting worse over time.