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Get help to breathe more easily

	Bronchiectasis means the airways in your lungs aren't working properly. It affects the way you breathe and makes you more likely to get chest infections. ConsumerReportsHealth.org can help you find treatments for bronchiectasis that work well.
	Subscribe to ConsumerReportsHealth.org today and find out if chest strengthening exercises or medications rate best for treating bronchiectasis.

Consumer Reports Health explains the best and most up-to-date expert research and evidence about treating bronchiectasis. Our clear and sound advice helps you and your doctor choose the best treatment options.

Key points about bronchiectasis

• Bronchiectasis usually happens because something has damaged your lung. This could have happened before you were born.
• If you have bronchiectasis, some of the airways in your lungs are too wide.
• Because the airways are too wide, mucus builds up inside them, and you may find it hard to cough it all out.
• Mucus that gets left behind can be infected by bacteria and cause a chest infection.
• Bronchiectasis can be caused by an inherited condition such as cystic fibrosis or it can occur as a result of other diseases, allergies, or inhaling harmful chemicals.

The main symptom of bronchiectasis is coughing up a lot of mucus. You might also feel breathless, cough up blood, wheeze, or feel tired from so much coughing. There's no cure for bronchiectasis, but you can take medicine to control your symptoms, keep your lungs from getting worse and help you live a normal life.

Our concise condition report and treatment ratings table will help you and your doctor decide which treatment for bronchiectasis is right for you. As a Consumer Reports Health subscriber, we'll also help you sort through the best research and the most effective treatments for over 100 conditions and illnesses that may affect you and your family.