Bronchiectasis

A lung disorder in which 1 or more bronchi (the air passages leading from the trachea) are abnormally widened, distorted, and have damaged linings. Bronchiectasis most often develops during childhood and was once commonly associated with infections such as measles and pertussis (whooping cough). The condition is also a complication of cystic fibrosis. It results in pockets of long-term infection within the airways and the continuous production of large volumes of green or yellow sputum (phlegm). Extensive bronchiectasis causes shortness of breath. The symptoms are usually controlled with antibiotic drugs and postural drainage. If the condition is confined to one area of the lung, surgical removal of the damaged area may be recommended.