What is bronchiectasis? 
Bronchiectasis is the permanent pathological distension and destruction of the bronchial walls. The formation of bronchiectasis is mainly due to bronchial inflammation and or obstruction.

Symptoms of bronchiectasis 
-Productive cough for months or even years.
-Daily or occasional production of large amounts of sputum.
-Bloody sputum-Haemoptysis
-Recurent respiratory infections
-Difficulty in breathing
-Wheezing

What are the causes of bronchiectasis
• Cystic fibrosis
• previous infections, e.g. tuberculosis, severe pneumonia, childhood pneumonia (measles, whooping cough). 
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
• mechanical occlusion of the bronchial tree (foreign body, cancer)
• systemic autoimmune diseases (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus)
• interstitial diseases (e.g. pulmonary fibrosis, asbestosis)
• immunodeficiencies
• Kartagener syndrome & Young syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases

Diagnosis
The patient will seek medical attention for recurent infections, large sputum production and coughing, in some cases haemoptysis. The physician through medical history and physical examination will suspect the disease and recommend chest CT.

Treatment
The treatment of bronchiectasis relies heavily on the removal of secretions from the bronchi, through respiratory physiotherapy, good hydration and the use of mucolytics. Proper treatment of infections with appropriate antibiotics, prevents further reduction of respiratory function.