This is the condition of permanent abnormal enlargement of large bronchi.

Bronchiectasis is the condition where the bronchial tubes of lungs are permanently damaged, windened and thickened.

Permanent abnormal dilation of one or more bronchi.

It occurs due to destruction of elastic and muscular components of the bronchial wall.

Classification

Saccular (cystic bronchiectasis)

It occurs in proximal large bronchi.

Bronchi shows marked dilation and ending in a large sac.

Cylindrical (fusiform) bronchiectasis

This involves the airways from 6th-10th generation.

Bronchi look cylindrical.

Varicose bronchiectasis

This is intermittent between saccular and cylindrical changes.

Bronchi resembles a varicose vein.

Aetiology

Acquired

(Children)

Obstruction and infection

Necrotising pneumonia

Primary tuberculosis

Foreign bodies

Adult

Pulmonary tuberculosis

Long standing asthma

Inhalation of toxic gas

Chronic hypersensitivity pneumonia

IBD

Rheumatoid arthritis

COPD

HIV infection

Interstitial lung fibrosis

Congenital

Bronchial cyst

Cystic fibrosis

Kartagener's syndrome

Atopic bronchial asthma

Clinical features

Cough and expectoration

Sputum

Haemoptysis

Chest pain

Recurrent pneumonia/pleurisy

Febrile episodes

Anaemia 

Weight loss

Night sweat

Weakness

Chronic sinusitis-70% cases

Sign

Clubbing is usually present

Chest- bronchiectic dry- no finding

Anaemia

Halitosis

Fever

Respiratory signs may be unilateral but usually bilateral.

Investigation

Blood-leucocytosis

Sputum culture-H.influenza, staph aureus,lung abscess

X-ray of chest- thickening of basal pleura

Appearance of basal portion of lung- 'birds nest' and 'honeycomb' appearance.

Bronchogram- dilated bronchi

CT scan

LFT- depressed function-due to hyperinflation/ fibrosis of the lung.

Bronchoscopy- to rule out- obstruction of the airway lesion.

Pulmonary function test- obstruction

Differential diagnosis

Lung abscess

Pulmonary tuberculosis

Chronic bronchitis

Complication

Haemoptysis

Pneumonia

Lung abscess

Emphysema

Brain abscess

Respiratory failure

Amyloidosis

Cor pulmonale

Management

Postural drainage

Antibacterial

Lung transplantation

General treatment

Good nutrition foods

Vitamins

Iron therapy to correct anaemia

Prevention

Prophylaxis of childhood whooping cough, measles, tuberculosis.

Removal of bronchial obstruction.

Homoeopathic medicine for bronchiectasis

1. Antimonium tart
2. Bryonia
3. Kali bi
4. Justicia adhatoda

The selection of homoeopathic remedies based on symptom similarities and doses according to the Susceptibility of patient.

Don't take homoeopathic medicine without any prescription / without any advise of physician.