How is bronchiectasis diagnosed?
Once they rule out other causes for your symptoms, the most common way to diagnose bronchiectasis is with a chest X-ray or CT scan. Both tests create detailed images of your lungs, heart or airways and give you doctor a full picture of your situation.
How is bronchiectasis defined?
Bronchiectasis is a chronic condition where the walls of the bronchi are thickened from inflammation and infection. People with bronchiectasis have periodic flare-ups of breathing difficulties, called exacerbations.
Is bronchiectasis a diagnosis?
Sometimes you’ll have further tests, including genetic blood tests, to try to find out why you’ve developed bronchiectasis. Getting a diagnosis of bronchiectasis affects people differently. You might feel disbelief, worry or even relief at getting an explanation for your symptoms.
What are the types of bronchiectasis?
According to the CHEST Foundation,1 there are two types of bronchiectasis: cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (CFB) and non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB).
How is bronchitis diagnosed?
To diagnose bronchitis, your doctor will do a physical exam and ask about your medical history and symptoms. The doctor may also order a blood test to look for signs of infection or a chest X-ray to see if your lungs and bronchial tubes look normal and rule out pneumonia.
What does bronchiectasis look like in the lungs?
Bronchiectasis is a long-term condition where the airways of the lungs become abnormally widened, leading to a build-up of excess mucus that can make the lungs more vulnerable to infection. The most common symptoms of bronchiectasis include: a persistent cough that usually brings up phlegm (sputum) breathlessness.
Are there different stages of bronchiectasis?
Whitwell classified bronchiectasis into three different types: follicular, saccular, and atelectatic.