Bronchiectasis is a lung disease which causes frequent cough and phlegm, along with repeated infections that may lead to permanent damage of the lungs.
There are many causes of bronchiectasis and it can affect people of all ages. It may be associated with genetic conditions including cystic fibrosis and primary ciliary dyskinesia, immunodeficiency and previous lung infections including tuberculosis. In addition, many cases have no known cause.
Key factors that can determine an individual’s disease severity include:
- The underlying cause of disease
- The ability to manage symptoms
- A care team of subspecialists focused on individuals with bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis is often associated with diseases such as cystic fibrosis, tuberculosis, and immunodeficiency disorders. Comprehensive treatment of the condition’s underlying cause as well as management of its symptoms requires the expertise and communication of specialists from across disciplines, including allergy and immunology, clinical genetics, infectious diseases, otolaryngology, pulmonary disease, and thoracic surgery.