Signs and Symptoms of Bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis can affect one or several parts of one or both the lungs. Initial lung damage that results in bronchiectasis generally starts in childhood in most cases, but the symptoms of bronchiectasis may become evident months or even years after the start of repeated lung infections. The most frequent signs and symptoms of bronchiectasis are:

• Frequent respiratory infection with coughing associated with bad-smelling sputum.
• Cough that may last for over months or years.
• Daily production of large amounts of green or yellow sputum (sometimes flecked with blood).
• Shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing.
• Wheezing, chest pain.
• Bad breath (halitosis).
• Generally not feeling well.
• Feeling tired often.
• Clubbing (changes in nail which makes it appear like parrot beak or excessively curved).

The doctor on listening to your breathing sounds with a stethoscope may hear abnormal lung sounds (wheeze or crackles). The symptoms worsen as the disease progresses and some people may cough up blood or bloody mucus and feel very unwell or exhausted. Children tend to lose weight, or may not grow well for their age. Severe bronchiectasis can cause severe complications such as respiratory failure, atelectasis or even heart failure (if all parts of your airways are affected it may cause heart failure).

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