Bronchiectasis (bron-kee-eck-tuh-sis) is an irreversible, chronic condition characterized by damaged and abnormally widened airways in the lungs due to recurring inflammation or infection.
Affecting around 4 million people in the U.S., bronchiectasis is often misdiagnosed due to its similarities to COPD.1 Without proper treatment, symptoms worsen with each flare-up (exacerbation). As airways are repeatedly damaged, the lungs slowly lose their ability to mobilize and clear mucus. This makes it easier for bacteria to infect the lungs. Each recurring infection causes more damage to the airways, which over time weakens their ability to move air in and out.
The severity of bronchiectasis symptoms can differ greatly. Some individuals experience mild symptoms infrequently, while others deal with symptoms daily.
Common symptoms include:
Other symptoms may include frequent infections that require antibiotic treatment, discomfort or chest pain, fever, wheezing or a whistling sound when breathing, and fatigue (which can be exacerbated by chronic infections and difficulty breathing).
Request our information packet and experience a smart solution to airway clearance.
Request our information packet and experience a smart solution to airway clearance.
Bronchiectasis can be caused by recurring respiratory inflammation and infections, genetic disorders like cystic fibrosis, immune system deficiencies, or pulmonary aspiration.
These factors lead to damaged, widened airways that trap mucus, making it difficult to clear and increasing the risk of infections. Common symptoms include a chronic cough with mucus, recurrent respiratory infections, breathlessness, and fatigue. The condition is permanent but can be managed with therapies like high-frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) to reduce symptoms and help prevent further lung damage.
Incorporate SmartVest to Triple Down on Bronchiectasis. By treating only infection and inflammation without addressing airway clearance leaves patients vulnerable. As excess mucus persists, a continuous cycle known as “The Vicious Vortex” remains, leading to worsening symptoms and disease progression.
The SmartVest® Airway Clearance System helps to break the cycle and prevent exacerbations to preserve critical lung function.
“My SmartVest is one of the best tools that I have to get mucus out. When all my inhalers and nebulizer treatments don’t work, my SmartVest always manages to get [mucus] moved around so I can finally breathe.” -Pam
Having recurring flare-ups could mean you spend more time in the hospital and less time spent with family or doing activities you love. Schedule a time to chat with one of our Patient Care Advocates, who are Respiratory Therapists, to discuss your symptoms and if SmartVest could be the right option for you. Or call them directly at (800) 462-1045.
In addition to bronchiectasis, there are other lung diseases that can hinder your ability to effectively clear the airways and breathe independently. These conditions can also overlap with bronchiectasis and show many of the same symptoms.
