Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Bronchiectasis, Coughing Fits And Fungal Infection
Question: I have bronchiectasis - sometimes I am fine but other times horrible. This spring I did yard work which consisted mainly of pulling out dead plants due to the drought her in California. Now I am suffering from extreme, coughing fits, episodes where I can't breathe, a lot of mucus but so hard to get it out. I use an over the counter cough med with expectorant and something to calm the cough and proair hra when I can't breathe. I'm assuming this is probably another fungal infection from all the dirt. Last check with my doctor was I had a bacterial infection, a fungal infection and something he said was a cousin of TB- all of which he said was hard to treat so, we just keep watching things. Is there no treatment for me? Do I need to seek out a new doctor? What can treat a fungal infection? Does salt caves treatment help? So very tired of feeling sick - any suggestions would be appreciated.
Brief Answer:
Better to consult pulmonologist and get done PFT.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your situation and problem.
Bronchiectesis is structural and functional lung disease.
It causes obstructive airway defect. It causes localised dilatation of bronchi, so that secretions get accumulated and cause infection, inflammatory reaction and bronchospasm.
The most worrisome complication is recurrent infection. Chances of chronic infections like fungal infection, tuberculosis, pseudomonas infection etc are common.
Better to consult pulmonologist and get done PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) and CT thorax. PFT will tell you about severity of functional defect.
CT thorax will give you exact dimensions of bronchiectesis.
Also get done sputum culture and sensitivity report. Culture will isolate the organism and sensitivity report will guide you appropriate antibiotics.
If you are having localised lesion than surgical removal (lobectomy) is an option.
But if it involves larger area of one lung or bilateral than medical management is the only option. Medical management includes
1. Antibiotics according to the culture report.
2. Regular inhaled bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS).
3. Enroll yourself in Pulmonary Rehabilitation center where chest physiotherapy and deep breathing exercises are done. This will ease you in coughing out secretions.
4. Combination of expectoration, mucolytic and antioxidants.
5. Once active infection is over, get done adult Pulmonary vaccination with pneumococcal and Influenza vaccines to prevent recurrent respiratory tract infection.
Salt caves are not having much role in bronchiectesis.
So better to consult pulmonologist and discuss all these.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health. Thanks.
Better to consult pulmonologist and get done PFT.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your situation and problem.
Bronchiectesis is structural and functional lung disease.
It causes obstructive airway defect. It causes localised dilatation of bronchi, so that secretions get accumulated and cause infection, inflammatory reaction and bronchospasm.
The most worrisome complication is recurrent infection. Chances of chronic infections like fungal infection, tuberculosis, pseudomonas infection etc are common.
Better to consult pulmonologist and get done PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) and CT thorax. PFT will tell you about severity of functional defect.
CT thorax will give you exact dimensions of bronchiectesis.
Also get done sputum culture and sensitivity report. Culture will isolate the organism and sensitivity report will guide you appropriate antibiotics.
If you are having localised lesion than surgical removal (lobectomy) is an option.
But if it involves larger area of one lung or bilateral than medical management is the only option. Medical management includes
1. Antibiotics according to the culture report.
2. Regular inhaled bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS).
3. Enroll yourself in Pulmonary Rehabilitation center where chest physiotherapy and deep breathing exercises are done. This will ease you in coughing out secretions.
4. Combination of expectoration, mucolytic and antioxidants.
5. Once active infection is over, get done adult Pulmonary vaccination with pneumococcal and Influenza vaccines to prevent recurrent respiratory tract infection.
Salt caves are not having much role in bronchiectesis.
So better to consult pulmonologist and discuss all these.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
