Is bronchiectasis serious?

Written by Yang Feng
Pulmonology
Updated on April 22, 2025
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First, we need to properly face the disease of bronchiectasis. Many patients with bronchiectasis are like normal people, without any clinical manifestations. Therefore, if these patients lead a regular life, it does not affect their quality of life or survival rate, so they are not considered severe cases. However, some patients experience repeated infections that worsen and may involve coughing up blood and progressive decline in lung function. These cases are relatively severe. Nevertheless, we can intervene effectively to slow the progression of the disease. Therefore, the severity varies among different patients with bronchiectasis.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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What will happen if bronchiectasis worsens?

Bronchiectasis is classified as an infectious disease of the respiratory internal medicine, mainly caused by the invasion of various pyogenic bacteria into the respiratory tract, which usually leads to inflammation and fibrotic changes in the bronchi and surrounding lung tissue. Therefore, patients with bronchiectasis often exhibit clinical symptoms such as cough, expectoration, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, and chest pain. It is crucial to provide timely treatments for such patients, including anti-infection measures, cough relief, expectoration, and hemostasis. If bronchiectasis is not effectively treated, it may lead to complications such as hypoxemia and severe bleeding. It is known that bronchiectasis does not lead to cancer due to local inflammation.

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Written by Zou Zhong Lan
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How is bronchiectasis treated?

The treatment of bronchiectasis mainly includes medical treatment and surgical treatment. Medical treatment primarily aims to control infection and promote the drainage of sputum. Antibiotics are crucial for controlling infections, initially based on empirical therapy. Adjustments can be made accordingly if results from sputum culture and drug sensitivity tests are available. Secondly, to promote sputum drainage, we can use postural drainage or mechanical vibration to expel sputum. Expectorant medications such as ambroxol and bromhexine, or nebulized inhalation therapy may also be utilized. Thirdly, bronchodilators can be used to relieve asthma symptoms and ease the patient's discomfort. If the patient has hemoptysis, hemostatic treatment should be provided. Surgical treatment is primarily considered for patients with localized bronchiectasis and when medical treatment is ineffective, in which case surgical resection may be considered.

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Written by An Yong Peng
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Where to massage for bronchial dilation?

There is no definite efficacy for the treatment of bronchiectasis with massage therapy. Generally, the main measure for bronchiectasis is to prevent respiratory infections. Bronchiectasis often presents symptoms of coughing up purulent sputum and may be accompanied by chest tightness, difficulty breathing, and hemoptysis. In patients with bronchiectasis, respiratory infections may exacerbate these symptoms. Therefore, preventing respiratory infections is crucial for bronchiectasis. Additionally, if the patient has obvious coughing and expectoration, mucolytic medications can be used to facilitate expectoration. If the patient experiences chest tightness and difficulty breathing, inhaling bronchodilators can help improve these conditions. For patients with bronchiectasis, if the lesions are localized and recurrent infections or hemoptysis occur, surgical treatment may also be considered.

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Written by Yang Feng
Pulmonology
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How to exercise with bronchiectasis

Firstly, patients with bronchiectasis are not suitable for intense physical exercise, especially during the onset of the disease. They should rest appropriately instead of engaging in excessive exercise, as overexertion can lead to a further worsening of the condition. When the condition is stable, activities like walking, swimming, and brisk walking can be considered. However, the choice should be based on one's personal health status, and the exercise must be moderate. The intensity of the exercise should not be too high, nor should it be too exhausting, as excessive fatigue can also trigger the onset of the disease.

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The manifestations of bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis refers to the destruction of bronchial wall tissues caused by chronic inflammation of the bronchi and surrounding lung tissues. The lumen undergoes irreversible dilation and deformation. Some patients have a history of recurrent respiratory tract infections, mainly presenting with chronic coughing and coughing up large amounts of thick sputum. Many patients have a history of repeated hemoptysis, although the amount of blood is usually small. There can be blood in the sputum or slight bleeding, and it can also manifest as a large amount of blood, potentially life-threatening. In the affected areas, fixed and persistent localized wet rales can be heard.