What should you know about disseminated bronchiectasis?

In bronchiectasis, airway walls are damaged and less effective at clearing secretions. When several lung regions are involved, symptoms may include a long-term [Cough](/symptoms/cough/), daily [Coughing Up Phlegm](/symptoms/coughing-up-phlegm/), breathlessness, wheeze, tiredness or repeated chest infections. The amount and colour of phlegm can change during a flare-up. Causes vary and may include previous infections, immune problems or other lung conditions, so assessment is individual. A clinician may arrange a chest scan and breathing tests; a [Chest X-Ray](/treatments/diagnostics-and-screening/chest-x-ray/) or [Spirometry](/treatments/diagnostics-and-screening/spirometry/) may be part of the evaluation.

Follow the airway-clearance plan taught by your respiratory team, drink fluids as advised, and record changes in sputum, breathlessness or fever. Treatment may include airway-clearance exercises, inhaled medicines for selected people, antibiotics for bacterial flare-ups, and vaccines or management of an underlying cause. Take antibiotics exactly as prescribed and do not use leftover doses. Keep appointments so lung function, infections and treatment response can be reviewed. Ask for help if daily coughing, tiredness or breathlessness is limiting work, sleep or activity.

Seek urgent medical help for severe breathlessness, blue or grey lips, confusion, chest pain, a rapid deterioration, or coughing up more than a small streak of blood. Contact a clinician promptly when phlegm becomes blood-stained, fever develops, or your usual cough and breathlessness worsen. Emergency symptoms need emergency services, especially if speaking in full sentences becomes difficult.

Ask which lung areas are affected, what may have caused the airway damage, how to perform airway clearance, when sputum should be tested, which changes suggest a flare-up, and whether you need a written action plan.