Symptoms & Signs
Symptoms often develop gradually, and may occur months or years after the event that causes the bronchiectasis.
They may include:
- Bluish skin color
- Breath odor
- Chronic cough with large amounts of foul-smelling sputum
- Clubbing of fingers
- Coughing up blood
- Cough that gets worse when lying on one side
- Fatigue
- Paleness
- Shortness of breath that gets worse with exercise
- Weight loss
- Wheezing
Diagnosis & Tests
When listening to the chest with a stethoscope, the doctor may hear small clicking, bubbling, wheezing, rattling, or other sounds, usually in the lower lobes of the lungs.
Tests may include:
- Aspergillosis precipitin test (to check for signs of the aspergillosis fungus)
- Chest x-ray
- Chest CT
- Sputum culture
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- PPD skin test to check for a prior tuberculosis infection
- Serum immunoglobulin electrophoresis
- Sweat test or other cystic fibrosis testing
-
Bronchiectasis : Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
-
Bronchiectasis : Symptoms & Signs, Diagnosis & Tests
-
Bronchiectasis : Treatment
Review Date : 5/21/2009
Reviewed By : Allen J. Blaivas, D.O., Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only — they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2010 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
