Bronchiectasis is damage to the bronchial tubes caused by repeated infections.  It involves the production of very thick, green mucus that obstructs the bronchial tubes. This leads to abnormal stretching and enlarging of the respiratory passage. Symptoms may include:

• Wheezing
  
  
• Repeated bouts of bronchitis and pneumonia
  
  
• A cough that is:
  
• • Persistent with large amounts of foul-smelling sputum
    
  • Accompanied by blood
    
  • Worsened by lying on one's side
    
    
• Shortness of breath worsened by exercise
  
  
• Weight loss
  
  
• Fatigue
  
  
• Weakness
  
  
• Clubbing of the fingers (abnormal amounts of tissue in the nail beds)
  
  
• Paleness
  
  
• Foul-smelling breath
  
  
• Bluish skin discoloration (cyanosis)

The disease is often misdiagnosed as asthma or pneumonia. It often develops in childhood, but symptoms may not appear until much later in life. The condition can result from a birth defect (e.g., cystic fibrosis) or develop after birth due to injury, or disease (e.g., tuberculosis, pneumonia, influenza).

A standard chest x-ray often will reveal the condition. Sometimes, high–resolution computed axial tomography (CAT scan) is necessary to confirm the diagnosis and determine the extent of the disease. A sputum culture and other tests may also be used. 

Bronchodilators, antibiotics and corticosteroids may be used to treat flare-ups. Physical therapy can also benefit the patient by teaching them techniques to help clear the mucus. In severe cases, a lung transplant may be considered.