Forecast
The prognosis in people with bronchiectasis is generally relatively good. Depending on the therapy, the progression of the disease can be significantly prevented. Modern antibiotic therapies and consistent physical therapy, which avoids infections as far as possible, ensure that the life with this disease pattern is generally not shortened.
History
The course of the disease in patients with bronchiectasis depends on the cause of the development of irreversible sacs in the large bronchi (bronchiectasis). For example, if the cause is a hereditary disease such as cystic fibrosis, the disease manifests itself early. If the cause is acquired later, for example through COPD, tuberculosis or a tumour, the course of the disease begins later.
Since it is a chronic disease, the disease cannot really be “cured”, but only the progress of the disease can be slowed or stopped. The course of the disease is therefore additionally dependent on factors such as the age of the patient, concomitant diseases, onset of the disease, adherence to preventive measures and therapy. Bronchiectasis develops as a result of repeated inflammation of the respiratory tract and the disturbed outflow of bronchial secretions.
Since the damage to the lung tissue is irreversible and the disease is chronic, it is desirable to diagnose the disease as early as possible to avoid worsening of symptoms and progression of the disease. The most important factor in positively influencing the course of the disease is regular mobilisation of the secretion and coughing up. By ventilating the airways, an attempt should be made to avoid infections of the lungs and to avoid providing a breeding ground for infections. and Mucus in the bronchi
Life expectancy
Today, the life expectancy of patients with bronchiectasis is hardly limited. Since the sacculation of the bronchial tubes is irreversible, the course of the disease can be significantly improved by avoiding infections and treating them with targeted antibiotic therapy and a regular bronchial lavage, thus reducing the complication rate enormously. With modern medicine and therapeutic measures and additional preventive measures, complications such as the above-mentioned frequent bronchopulmonary infections, pulmonary bleeding and large accumulations of pus in the form of a pleural empyema or lung abscess are less frequent. The life expectancy of patients with bronchiectasis was very limited in earlier years, i.e. before the introduction of effective antibiotic therapy. However, due to good basic immunisation, regular booster vaccinations and separate vaccinations of at-risk patients, the prognosis and thus life expectancy has improved considerably over the years.
X-ray
An x-ray of the thorax can be very helpful if bronchiectasis is suspected, but it is not sufficient to confirm the diagnosis alone. In patients with bronchiectasis, the bag-shaped or cylindrically shaped extensions of the bronchi, the X-ray image often shows inflammatory thickening of the bronchial walls. This results in an image of parallel lines, also known as “tram lines” or as rail signs.
It is also possible that a fluid level is visible. In the late stage, the damage to the lung becomes apparent as the lung tissue is replaced by numerous thin-walled and possibly fluid-filled cavities. The picture is similar to that of the final stage of pulmonary fibrosis and is called the “honeycomb lung”.
