Often developing gradually, symptoms of bronchiectasis may not appear for months or even years after the pre-disposing event. Symptoms of bronciectasis may include:
1. Chronic Cough With Large Amounts of Thick, Foul-Smelling Sputum
A persistent, long-term cough with copious amounts of thick, purulent sputum are the hallmark symptoms of bronciectasis. With the presence of infection, the mucus is often discolored, foul-smelling and may even contain blood.
2. Hemoptysis
People with bronchiectasis may sometimes cough up small amounts of blood. This term is referred to as hemoptysis. Hemoptysis is due, primarily, to the rupturing of tiny blood vessels near the surface of bronchial tubes. Normally, this bleeding is minor, but occasionally requires emergent care. When hemoptysis does occur, it usually indicates further infection.
3. Dyspnea
Dyspnea, or shortness of breath, is another common symptom of bronchiectasis which occurs because of the blockage of the airways with mucus. Typically, dyspnea worsens with exertion or exercise.
4. Weight Loss
Weight loss may occur because of the added caloric demand made by the body as a result of long-term, excessive coughing. Read more about nutrition and COPD.
5. Fatigue
Fatigue is an overall feeling of tiredness or lack of energy. In the case of bronchiectasis, one of the causes of fatigue may be lack of sleep caused by long-term excessive coughing. Sometimes, medication side effects can mimic fatigue and are common with antihistamines, blood pressure medicines, sleeping pills, steroids, or diuretics.6. Weakness
Weakness is a common symptom of many chronic illnesses. The weakness caused by bronchiectasis is basically generalized, meaning it affects the entire body, as opposed to localized weakness, which affects only a specific limb, muscle group, or one side of the body.
7. Clubbing of the Fingers
Clubbing is a sign of bronchiectasis indicative of long-term oxygen deprivation. Initially, it manifests itself as sponginess of the nail bed along with loss of the nail-bed's angle, causing the nail bed to curve downward.
8. Wheezing
Often described as a whistling sound heard during inhalation or exhalation, wheezing is caused by a narrowing or blockage of the airways. Oftentimes, wheezing can be so prevalent that you can hear it without the assistance of a stethoscope.
9. Repeated Lung Infections
Respiratory infections are common in bronchiectasis and may include bacterial infections (such as staphyloccus) fungal infections (such as aspergillosis) mycobacterial infections (such as tuberculosis) or viral infections (such as influenza). If lung infections are treated immediately, bronchiectasis is less likely to occur.
