Mucolytics are often used for patients with cystic fibrosis, copd, or tuberculosis.
OverviewBronchiectasis damages your airways, making it hard to clear mucus.What is bronchiectasis?Bronchiectasis (“bronk-ee-EK-tuh-sis”) is a lung condition where your airways (tubes going into your lungs) get damaged and widen. Damaged airways can’t clear mucus like they're supposed to. Bacteria then grows in the mucus, causing more inflammation and damage to your lungs. This makes you cough a lot as your body tries to remove the infected mucus. Show
What’s the difference between bronchiectasis and bronchitis?Bronchiectasis and bronchitis have similar symptoms, including mucus in your lungs and coughing. But bronchiectasis causes permanent widening of your airways and bronchitis is a temporary infection that doesn’t cause lasting damage. What are the types of bronchiectasis?Healthcare providers categorize bronchiectasis based on what the damage to your airways looks like — cylindrical (or tubular), varicose or cystic. Cylindrical bronchiectasis is the most common and least serious form of bronchiectasis. Cystic bronchiectasis is the most severe form. Providers also categorize bronchiectasis as focal (in one area) or diffuse (in many areas throughout your lungs). Traction bronchiectasis happens when scarring in your lungs pulls your airways out of shape. Who does bronchiectasis affect?You’re at higher risk of bronchiectasis if you’re living with an underlying condition that affects your lungs or immune system. Without an underlying condition, your risk increases as you get older. How common is bronchiectasis?About 350,000 to 500,000 people in the U.S. have bronchiectasis. This includes one person out of 150 people who are 75 and older. The actual number might be higher since you can have bronchiectasis without having any symptoms. How does bronchiectasis affect my body?The tubes (airways or bronchi) going into your lungs have defenses to protect you from disease. Annoying as it can sometimes be, mucus is one of these defenses. When mucus can’t be coughed out, it causes lasting damage to your airways. How mucus protects your bodyWhen you breathe air in, any harmful particles get trapped in mucus in your airways. Then, millions of tiny, hairlike structures (cilia) use a coordinated motion to move the mucus out of your lungs, like waves bringing debris to the shore. This is called mucociliary clearance. You cough out the mucus or swallow it, where the trapped particles are destroyed by your stomach acid. When any part of this system isn’t working — if your cilia are damaged or your airways have pockets that trap mucus — you build up mucus in your lungs. The mucus has bacteria trapped in it, which can multiply and cause infections. The damage the infections causes can make bronchiectasis worse. Is bronchiectasis a serious lung condition?Bronchiectasis can be mild or severe depending on how much damage you have in your lungs. Some people have it and don’t even know it. Others have had it for a long time and repeated infections have severely damaged their lungs. Most people with bronchiectasis live a normal life span by manage their symptoms with a provider’s advice and medication. Symptoms and CausesWhat are the symptoms of bronchiectasis?Symptoms of bronchiectasis include:
You might have stretches of time where your symptoms aren’t as bad and then have a flare-up (exacerbation) where your symptoms get worse. Exacerbation symptoms include:
What causes bronchiectasis?Bronchiectasis is caused by two phases of airway damage. In the first phase, the initial damage (or “insult”) is caused by an infection, inflammatory disorder or another condition that affects your lungs. Healthcare providers don’t know the initial cause in up to 40% of people with bronchiectasis. The first insult makes you more likely to get inflammation and repeated infections that cause further damage to your lungs. This is the second phase, or the “vicious cycle.” What diseases cause bronchiectasis?Some of the specific causes of the initial damage (“insult”) which starts the cycle of bronchiectasis include:
Does COVID-19 cause bronchiectasis?Research suggests that COVID-19 isn’t a very common cause of bronchiectasis. But if you’ve had acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with COVID-19, you may have pseudobronchiectasis. Pseudobronchiectasis looks like bronchiectasis, but it resolves over time rather than causing the cycle of repeated infections and lung damage. What is the most common cause of bronchiectasis?The most common cause of bronchiectasis depends on where you live. In the U.S. and other western countries, the most common cause of bronchiectasis is cystic fibrosis. Worldwide, it’s tuberculosis. In many cases, healthcare providers can't determine the cause of bronchiectasis. Diagnosis and TestsHow is bronchiectasis diagnosed?A healthcare provider will diagnose bronchiectasis by examining you and asking you about your health history. They’ll listen to your lungs and test how well they’re working. If they think you have bronchiectasis or another lung condition, they’ll order imaging tests to look at the structure of your lungs. What tests will be done to diagnose bronchiectasis?A healthcare provider may perform a number of tests to diagnose bronchiectasis or rule out other conditions, including:
Management and TreatmentHow is bronchiectasis treated?Bronchiectasis can’t be fully cured, but you can treat the symptoms. Healthcare providers treat bronchiectasis by clearing mucus and managing infections. Depending on the severity of your condition, your provider might prescribe medication or physical therapy. You may also use medical devices that help get rid of mucus. If bronchiectasis is caused by an underlying condition, treating that condition may help your symptoms. If you have a small area of bronchiectasis, your provider might recommend surgery, though this is rare. What treatments are used for bronchiectasis?Bronchiectasis treatments help get rid of infected mucus, kill bacteria and decrease inflammation. They include:
What foods should you avoid if you have bronchiectasis?What you eat doesn’t seem to directly impact bronchiectasis. For instance, you may have heard that avoiding things like milk can help lower the amount of mucus in your lungs, but research hasn’t shown this to be true. What’s most important is to maintain good nutrition. You might find yourself losing an unhealthy amount of weight or have other concerns about your diet. Ask for a dietician if you have concerns about healthy eating with bronchiectasis. PreventionHow can I reduce my risk of bronchiectasis?You can reduce your risk of developing bronchiectasis by managing your lung health:
Outlook / PrognosisWhat can I expect if I have bronchiectasis?Bronchiectasis can’t be cured — the damage it causes is irreversible. But most people can manage the symptoms of bronchiectasis with strategies recommended by their healthcare provider. Your outlook will depend on how severe your condition is, how well you respond to treatment and what other health conditions you have. You may need to practice physical therapies or take medications daily. More severe cases may impact your quality of life. Complications of bronchiectasisDamage caused by severe bronchiectasis can lead to life-threatening complications, including:
What is the life expectancy for bronchiectasis?With proper treatment, most people with bronchiectasis can expect to live as long as someone without it. A history of smoking and low lung function can lower your life expectancy. Living WithHow do I take care of myself with bronchiectasis?Managing ongoing conditions and your overall health can help you take care of yourself with bronchiectasis.
When should I see my healthcare provider about bronchiectasis?Talk to your healthcare provider if you’ve been coughing with a lot of mucus for several weeks or if you feel short of breath. If you have been diagnosed with bronchiectasis, you should contact your healthcare provider if you:
When should I go to ER?Go to the ER if you are:
What questions should I ask my healthcare provider?
A note from Cleveland Clinic In most cases, bronchiectasis shouldn’t keep you from living a full life. Talk to your provider about bothersome symptoms and how to deal with exacerbations. They may not be able to take care of every symptom, but sometimes small changes can greatly improve your quality of life. Are mucolytics used for cystic fibrosis?Just as the name implies, mucus thinner (mucolytics) help thin the thick, sticky mucus that clogs the airways of people with cystic fibrosis (CF). Mucus thinners are inhaled either before or during airway clearance techniques because they assist with moving the mucus out of the lungs.
Are mucolytics used in COPD?Mucolytics appear to be useful for reducing flare‐ups, days of disability, and hospital admissions in people with COPD or chronic bronchitis, and they do not appear to cause more side effects.
What are mucolytics used for?Mucolytics are drugs used to manage mucus hypersecretion and its sequelae like recurrent infections in patients of COPD, cystic fibrosis, and bronchiectasis. They belong to a group of agents called mucoactive agents.
Who needs mucolytic?A mucolytic helps you cough up phlegm (also called mucus or sputum). It works by making your phlegm less thick and sticky. This can help if you have a condition that affects your lungs, including: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
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