What is Bronchiectasis?

Bronchiectasis can lead to serious health problems, such as respiratory failure, atelectasis (at-eh-LEK-tah-sis), and heart failure. Figure A shows a cross-section of the lungs with normal airways and widened airways. Figure B shows a cross-section of a normal airway.

Figure C shows a cross-section of an airway with bronchiectasis. Bronchiectasis can affect just one section of one of your lungs or many sections of both lungs. The initial lung damage that leads to bronchiectasis often begins in childhood.

However, symptoms may not occur until months or even years after you start having repeated lung infections. In the United States, common childhood infections—such as whooping cough and measles—used to cause many cases of bronchiectasis. However, these causes are now less common because of vaccines and antibiotics.

Now bronchiectasis usually is due to a medical condition that injures the airway walls or prevents the airways from clearing mucus. Examples of such conditions include cystic fibrosis and primary ciliary (SIL-e-ar-e) dyskinesia (dis-kih-NE-ze-ah), or PCD. Bronchiectasis that affects only one part of the lung may be caused by a blockage rather than a medical condition.

Bronchiectasis can be congenital (kon-JEN-ih-tal) or acquired. Congenital bronchiectasis affects infants and children. It's the result of a problem with how the lungs form in a fetus.

Acquired bronchiectasis occurs as a result of another condition or factor. This type of bronchiectasis can affect adults and older children. Acquired bronchiectasis is more common than the congenital type.

Currently, bronchiectasis has no cure. However, with proper care, most people who have it can enjoy a good quality of life. Early diagnosis and treatment of bronchiectasis are important.

The sooner your doctor starts treating bronchiectasis and any underlying conditions, the better your chances of preventing further lung damage.