Bronchiectasis: Is there any treatment?

"My husband has bronchiectasis, which causes constant coughing. It is very tiring and tiresome, both for him and for me. His consultant has signed him off and says there is no treatment. Is there any way of helping him?"

Dr Fred Kavalier answers your health question:

Bronchiectasis is a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), that's a bit like chronic bronchitis. It causes a section of the bronchial tree to become widened and scarred. These passages normally contain some muscle and elastic tissues, but bronchiectasis destroys the muscle and elastic and allows mucous and infection to accumulate in the lungs. Although there is no cure, some treatments will help. Your husband may benefit from long-term, regular antibiotics, while physiotherapy may also help. If your husband does not take long-term antibiotics, it is vitally important the he be given them at the first sign of infection. Some people with bronchiectasis have cystic fibrosis, a genetic condition present from birth. The British Lung Foundation website will give you more information: www.lunguk.org/bronchiectasis.

Please mail your questions for Dr Fred to health@independent.co.uk. He regrets that he is unable to respond personally to questions.