Unless there are complications, it is not serious, but it can be a social embarrassment. Bronchiectasis is a relatively rare condition that affects the Iungs. In this disorder the bronchial tubes become enlarged and distended forming pockets where infection may gather. The wa lls themselves are damaged which results in impairment to the lung s complex cleaning system. When this cleaning system is not working effectively dust, mucus and bacteria accumulate.
Infection develops and is difficult to remove.
The Causes Bronchiectasis is caused by various types of infections which damage and weaken the bronchial walls and interfere with the action of the cilia. Patients may be predisposed to get this condition with various congenital or inherited deficiencies such as immunological deficiency or cystic fibrosis. Rarely patients inherit a primary abnormality of the hair cells or cilia which renders them more prone to develop bronchiectasis. Certain pneumonias which may be associated with measles and whooping cough, usually occurring in childhood may predispose to this condition by weakening the walls of the bronchial tubes and causing pockets of infection to form. In childhood this most commonly results from choking on food such as a peanut which is small enough to go down the windpipe and large enough to block off one of the air tubes.