Information on your lung condition
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Information on your lung condition
Please click one of the items below to learn about the condition.
Bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis is an irreversible lung condition usually caused by repeated inflammation or infection of the airways.
Air passes into the lungs via the windpipe which divides into a series of branching airways (bronchial tubes). The airways contain tiny glands which produce small amounts of mucus. This helps to protect your lungs by trapping any dust and germs that you breathe in. Tiny hairs called cilia line the airways and help to clear the mucus by sweeping it to the back of the throat. Small amounts of mucus are normally swallowed without noticing, but if there is a lot of mucus it can cause you to cough.
In bronchiectasis the bronchial tubes become enlarged and distorted and the bronchial walls are damaged, resulting in the lungs’ complex cleaning system being less effective. This leads to a build-up of mucus in the lungs, resulting in an increased risk of chest infections and potential for progression of bronchiectasis.
Please view the presentation below to listen to one of our Physiotherapists explain how to live well with Bronchiectasis