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Bronchiectasis
Alternate Names : Acquired Bronchiectasis, Congenital Bronchiectasis
Definition Bronchiectasis is an abnormal destruction and dilation (widening) of the large airways. A person may be born with it (congenital bronchiectasis) or may acquire it later in life as a result of another disorder.
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Bronchiectasis is often caused by recurrent inflammation or infection of the airways. It may be present at birth, but most often begins in childhood as a complication from infection or inhaling a foreign object.
Cystic fibrosis causes about 50% of all bronchiectasis in the United States today. Recurrent, severe lung infections (pneumonia, tuberculosis, fungal infections), abnormal lung defenses, and obstruction of the airway by a foreign body or tumor are some of the predisposing factors.
Symptoms often develop gradually, and may occur months or years after the event that causes the bronchiectasis.
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- Neuropathy
- Breast Cancer
- Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
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• Definition
• Bronchiectasis Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Bronchiectasis Symptoms & Signs
• Bronchiectasis Prevention
• Bronchiectasis Diagnosis & Tests
• Bronchiectasis Treatment
• Bronchiectasis Prognosis
• Bronchiectasis Complications
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Anemia
• Common Cold
• Cor Pulmonale
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Pneumonia
Tests & Exams
• CBC
• Chest X-Ray
• Routine Sputum Culture
• Thoracic CT
Surgery & Procedures
• Lung Surgery
Other Topics
• Breath Odor
• Breathing Difficulty
• Chest Pain
• Chronic
• Clubbing of the Fingers or Toes
• Cough
• Coughing Up Blood
• Fatigue
• Foreign Object Aspiration or Ingestion
• Immunizations - General Overview
• Paleness
• Skin Discoloration - Bluish
• Weight Loss - Unintentional
• Wheezing
Review Date : 2/6/2003
Reviewed By : David A. Kaufman, M.D., Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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