Bronchiectasis: Symptoms

What are the symptoms of bronchiectasis?

Bronchiectasis symptoms may include a cough. The cough may be productive of mucus. With infections the mucus may be discolored, foul-smelling and may contain blood (hemoptysis). The cough may also be nonproductive of mucus. The mucus may be in the airways of the lungs, but it may be hard to cough up the mucus.

Other common symptoms of bronchiectasis may include shortness of breath, wheezing, weight loss, and fatigue. Some people with bronchiectasis also have chronic sinusitis. This requires further evaluation since bronchiectasis and sinusitis may be due to the same underlying disease. Your health care provider will evaluate all your symptoms as part of managing your bronchiectasis.

If left untreated, symptoms of bronchiectasis may progress causing further damage to the airways in the lungs. Further symptoms may include increasing shortness of breath, worsening quality of life and even heart failure.