Bronchiectasis (cont.)
Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM
Dr. Ben Wedro practices emergency medicine at Gundersen Clinic, a regional trauma center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His background includes undergraduate and medical studies at the University of Alberta, a Family Practice internship at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
George Schiffman, MD, FCCP
Dr. Schiffman received his B.S. degree with High Honors in biology from Hobart College in 1976. He then moved to Chicago where he studied biochemistry at the University of Illinois, Chicago Circle. He attended Rush Medical College where he received his M.D. degree in 1982 and was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. He completed his Internal Medicine internship and residency at the University of California, Irvine.
In this Article
- What is bronchiectasis?
- What causes bronchiectasis?
- What are the symptoms of bronchiectasis?
- When should you seek medical care for bronchiectasis?
- How is bronchiectasis diagnosed?
- What is the treatment for bronchiectasis?
- What are the complications of bronchiectasis?
- What is the prognosis for bronchiectasis?
- Bronchiectasis At A Glance
- Find a local Doctor in your town
Bronchiectasis At A Glance
- Bronchiectasis describes damage to the walls of larger bronchial tubes with
loss of the smooth muscle and loss of elasticity of segments of the bronchi. The
resultant airway distortion prevents secretions from being adequately cleared
from the lung.
- Bronchiectasis may be congenital or acquired. Cystic fibrosis is the most
common cause of congenital bronchiectasis.
- Symptoms of bronchiectasis include increased sputum production, bloody
sputum, shortness of breath, weakness,
and fatigue.
- Diagnosis is often made by history and confirmed by
CT scan of the chest.
Efforts may be made to find the underlying cause of bronchiectasis.
- Complications include recurrent pneumonia, respiratory failure, and
eventually heart failure.
- Bronchiectasis is not curable. The goal for treatment is to control secretions and minimize the risk of infections.
REFERENCE: Fauci, Anthony S., et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Professional, 2008.
Last Editorial Review: 5/24/2010 1:08:44 PM
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