Bronchiectasis facts for kids

Bronchiectasis is an obstructive lung disease. It is caused by inflammation of the bronchi. It is sometimes said to be part of the group of diseases called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. People with bronchiectasis have swollen bronchi.

Signs

People with bronchiectasis have pain in their chests. Some people with bronchiectasis make sputum that is green or pale yellow. The most common symptom of bronchiectasis is a cough that does not go away. 9 out of 10 people with the disease have this symptom. 3 out of 4 people with bronchiectasis often cough up a lot of sputum. This causes tiredness. People with bronchiectasis may also cough up blood. This is called haemoptysis. People with bronchiectasis may have bad breath. Some people with bronchiectasis have sinusitis that does not go away.

Types

There are three kinds of bronchiectasis. These are:

• Cylindrical bronchiectasis
• Varicose bronchiectasis
• Saccular or cystic - This is the most severe type. It is often found in people with cystic fibrosis.

Causes

People can be born with bronchiectasis or they can develop it later. In about 4 out of 10 cases, a cause is found. People who have rheumatoid arthiritis and smoke are ten times more likely to have the disease. Patients with alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency have also been found to be more likely to get bronchiectasis but it is not known why.

Diagnosis

It is usually diagnosed using a CT scan.

Treatment

Antibiotics are used to treat bronchiectasis. It can also be treated with other drugs. Sometimes surgery is needed.

History

René Laennec wrote the first description of bronchiectasis in 1819.

Images for kids

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  "Vicious cycle" theory of the pathogenesis of bronchiectasis.

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  Azithromycin is a macrolide commonly used in bronchiectasis.

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  Bronchiectasis primarily in the middle lobe of the right lung.

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  Bronchiectasis secondary to a large carcinoid tumor (not shown) that was completely obstructing the bronchus proximally. Dilation of the airways is present.

See also

In Spanish: Bronquiectasia para niños