Bronchiectasis is a condition where damage to the airways causes them to widen and become damaged, allowing bacteria and mucus to build up and pool in your lungs, resulting in chronic infections and blockages of the airways.
Bronchiectasis is treated with medicines, hydration, and chest physical therapy (CPT). Surgery may be recommended if bleeding is present.
Medications like antibiotics, bronchodilators, expectorants, or mucus-thinning medicines are prescribed to treat bronchiectasis.
Antibiotics are the main treatment for the repeated lung infections that bronchiectasis causes. Oral antibiotics often are used to treat these infections but intravenous (IV) antibiotics may be prescribed as well. Expectorants and mucus thinners loosen the mucus to make it easier to cough up.
Drinking plenty of liquids, especially water, helps clear the airways of mucus. It also helps keep airway mucus moist.
Depending on your condition, your doctor also may recommend bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids, oxygen therapy, or surgery.
Bronchodilators relax the muscles around your airways to open your airways and makes breathing easier. Most bronchodilators are inhaled medicines that you breathe in like inhalers and nebulisers. Inhaled bronchodilators work quickly because the medicine goes directly to your lungs.
Your doctor may also prescribe inhaled corticosteroids to treat inflammation in the airways if you also have wheezing or asthma with bronchiectasis,
Oxygen therapy is another form of treatment that can help raise low blood oxygen levels. Oxygen is received through nasal prongs or a mask, and treament can be done in hospital or at home.
Surgery may recommend if no other treatments have helped and only one part of your airway is affected. Removal of part of your airway may be performed if bleeding is present.
