Bronchiectasis
‘Bronchiectasis’ describes an abnormal dilation of the bronchi that becomes a focus for chronic infection. In most cases it develops as a complication of a severe bacterial infection and then follows a chronic course. Clinical features include chronic cough, often with copious purulent sputum, and febrile episodes with malaise and night sweats that can last from a few days to weeks, and sometimes hemoptysis. The disorder can be debilitating. Although continual use of antibiotics is inadvisable, patients often receive this regime.
Videos
Pathology
Clearing Your Chest with Breathing Exercises
Epidemiology
COPD with Bronchiectasis
Treatment
Essential aspects of the treatment are as follows:
- Immune-enhancing herbs such as Echinacea root, Andrographis and Astragalus
- Respiratory antiseptic herbs such as Inula helenium, Thymus vulgaris and Allium sativum (garlic)
- Diaphoretics such as Asclepias tuberosa (pleurisy root) during the febrile episodes
- Tonics such as Panax, Rhodiola, Eleutherococcus and/or Withania if debility is present
- Anticatarrhal herbs, including Verbascum, Ribwort plantain and Hydrastis
- Expectorant herbs such as Inula helenium, Thymus vulgaris,Polygala and other saponin-containing herbs, Fennel, Aniseed, White Horehound
- Olive leaf extract helps reduce excess mucus from lungs
- Note that Astragalus, Panax and Eleutherococcus should be discontinued during any acute febrile phases.