Bronchiectasis

Alternative names:

acquired bronchiectasis; congenital bronchiectasis

Symptoms:

• chronic cough with sputum production, may contain pus or have a foul odor
• coughing up blood
• cough worsened by lying on one side
• shortness of breath worsened by exercise
• weight loss
• fatigue
• clubbing of fingers may be present (skin or muscle enlargement around the finger nails)
• rales

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

• wheezing
• skin discoloration, bluish
• paleness
• breath odor
• ankle, feet, and leg swelling
• vision abnormalities
• headache
• sensations of feeling the heart beat (palpitations) with an irregular pattern

Signs and tests:

Chest auscultation reveals crackles usually in the lower lobes of the lungs.

Tests may include:

• a chest X-ray
• a chest CT
• a sputum culture
• a CBC, may reveal anemia

This disease may also alter the results of a chest MRI.