Question 1

i'm taking spiriva for my bronchiectasis. it's beginning to work. will i have to take it for the rest of my life?

Accepted Answer

Likely yes: Spiriva is anticholinergic drug which is , very useful in COPD esp chr. Bronchitis.In bronchiectasis it might work.

Question 2

does bronchiectasis significantly cut a persons life span? secondly can it be cause of chronic fatigue?
thanks

Accepted Answer

It depends: on the severity.  It can range from being so minimal and localized that it is not clinically significant, to being so severe that lung transplant might be indicated.  It can be idiopathic(no discernible cause) or acquired secondary to a number of causes(e.g. pneumonia, TB, cystic fibrosis).  It is a form of COPD, and if severe enough can impact morbidity/mortality, and cause chronic fatigue.

Question 3

taking antibiotics regularly due to bronchiectasis creates antibiotic resistance and causes a limited life span?

Accepted Answer

Family practice : You shouldn't normally take antibiotics on a continuous basis however sometimes a dr elects to do so on a low dose as a preventative measure for someone who is at very high risk for recurrent infection.

Question 4

how can i treat bronchiectasis?

Accepted Answer

Pulmonary toilet: Do things to promote clearance of phlegm from your lungs. Quit smoking. Get everyone who lives with you to quit. Smoking outside not acceptable. Live in a place with clean air - at least 1 mile from highways & streets with trucks & buses. Exercise. Maintain normal weight. Control diabetes. Laugh. Take all meds prescribed by your doctor. Get flu & Pneumovax vaccines. Gamma globulin may help.

Question 5

what do you recommend for bronchiectasis?

Accepted Answer

A good Pulmonologist: Also don't smoke, avoid others who do, wood smoke & outdoor pollution. Adequate rest & nutrition, vitamin d & omega-3. Deep slow breathing (think yoga) & postural drainage can help clear breathing tubes. Treat infection - thick colored mucous - early with antibiotics. Use bronchodilators & inhaled corticosteroids if they help you. If you have a weak immune system add ivig or preferably scig.

Question 6

i want to know my options for treating bronchiectasis?

Accepted Answer

Bronchiectasis: So many options: hydration and mucus clearance, chest physiotherapy, bronchodilators, anti inflammatory medications, antibiotics, pulmonary rehab.....Or a combination of all the above. You need a good pulmonologist to work with you.

Question 7

what's a simple way to say what bronchiectasis really is?

Accepted Answer

Damaged airways: Bronchiectasis: structurally damaged airways unable to effectively move mucous. Air contains germs that are trapped but not killed by the inner mucous layer of the breathing tubes. Cilia on underlying cells beat like brooms sweeping mucous to the throat where it's swallowed. Stomach acid kills the germs. Without this mucociliary escalator germs multiply in the airway causing bronchitis & pneumonia.

Question 8

what are the medications used to treat bronchiectasis?
thanks

Accepted Answer

Find the cause: Some supportive-care meds are common to this and other lung diseases, but the key will be to try to identify a cause if you can. I recently autopsied a 70 year old woman with "unexplained bronchiectasis" and discovered they had missed adult-onset cystic fibrosis -- which could have been managed more effectively.

Question 9

is bronchiectasis the same as cf ?

Accepted Answer

CF?: I am not sure what you are referring to by CF?  Cystic Fibrosis ? Congestive Heart Failure ?

Question 10

why is bronchiectasis caused by smoking?

Accepted Answer

Smoking irritates: Smoking irritates the bronchi.  It causes inflammation and can damage the bronchi and bronchioles ability to naturally clear out pathogens leading to bronchitis or pneumonia.  Smoking causes lung injury resulting in emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and lung cancer among many other risks.

Please don't smoke.

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Doctor answers about:

Bronchiectasis life expectancy

A member asked:

I'm taking spiriva for my bronchiectasis. it's beginning to work. will i have to take it for the rest of my life?

A member asked:

Does bronchiectasis significantly cut a persons life span? secondly can it be cause of chronic fatigue? thanks

A member asked:

Taking antibiotics regularly due to bronchiectasis creates antibiotic resistance and causes a limited life span?

A member asked:

How can i treat bronchiectasis?

A member asked:

What do you recommend for bronchiectasis?

A member asked:

I want to know my options for treating bronchiectasis?

A member asked:

What's a simple way to say what bronchiectasis really is?

A member asked:

What are the medications used to treat bronchiectasis? thanks

A member asked:

Is bronchiectasis the same as cf ?

A member asked:

Why is bronchiectasis caused by smoking?

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