What is bronchiectasis?
Bronchiectasis is a lung disease that makes it harder to breathe. The walls of breathing tubes in your lungs get damaged by inflammation or infections. This makes the tubes wider and less elastic, so it’s hard to clear out the sticky mucus. People with bronchiectasis often get chest infections that keep coming back. These are called flare-ups.
Anyone can get bronchiectasis, even kids. But it’s more common in women and older adults. It’s also more common in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
What can I expect?
Everyone experiences bronchiectasis differently. It’s important to keep your airways clear and see a doctor quickly if you have a flare-up. If you act quickly and look after yourself, you can live well with bronchiectasis.
Australian Bronchiectasis Registry
At Lung Foundation Australia, we’re working hard to learn more about bronchiectasis. We use the Australian Bronchiectasis Registry (ABR) to collect information about people with bronchiectasis. This helps us with research and improving treatments.
Respiratory care nurse
Our Respiratory Care Nurse phone service is for people living with COPD or bronchiectasis. Our nurses can give you advice about your condition based on the latest guidelines. To make a free phone appointment, call our Information and Support Centre on 1800 654 301 (free call) or book online.
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