Bronchiectasis Symptoms and Diagnosis

What Are the Symptoms of Bronchiectasis?

Symptoms of bronchiectasis can take months or years to develop and gradually become worse. The two primary symptoms are:

•  A daily cough that occurs for at least eight weeks 
• Daily production of mucus (sputum). 

Other symptoms may include:

• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue, feeling run-down or tired
• Repeated chest or lung infections
• Fevers and/or chills
• Wheezing or whistling sound while you breathe
• Chest pain
• Coughing up blood, also called hemoptysis, though this is less common

What Can Mucus Tell You About Your Health?

How Is Bronchiectasis Diagnosed?

Bronchiectasis is an under-diagnosed and often times misdiagnosed condition. Early diagnosis is important to prevent further lung damage. If your healthcare provider suspects bronchiectasis, they will want a detailed family history and blood tests to determine whether you may have an underlying condition that could cause bronchiectasis. These blood tests can also tell your healthcare provider if you have an infection.

Other assessments that your healthcare team may recommend:

• A chest X-ray or CT scan are the most common ways to diagnose bronchiectasis. Both tests create detailed images of your lungs, heart or airways.
• Lung function tests can determine how well your lungs are working.
• A sputum culture can tell your provider if bacteria are in your lungs.
• A sweat test may be ordered to determine if you have cystic fibrosis.

In some cases, your provider may recommend a bronchoscopy. This flexible, narrow tube is inserted into the airways to help find blockages and sources of infection.

When Should You See Your Healthcare Provider?

Talk with your healthcare provider if:

• You have a daily cough, produce mucus most days or have other ongoing respiratory symptoms that concern you.
• You have been diagnosed with another lung condition, such as asthma or COPD, but your symptoms are not improving or are not well controlled  with your current treatment plan.
• You experience frequent chest or lung infections, especially if symptoms keep returning.

If you have been diagnosed with bronchiectasis, you should see your healthcare provider for regularly scheduled visits to monitor your symptoms, lung health and treatment plan.

Seek immediate attention if you are coughing up blood, have severe shortness of breath, chest pain or experience symptoms that suddenly worsen.