How is bronchiectasis treated?
The goals of treatment are to: • Treat any underlying conditions and respiratory infections • Help remove mucus from your lungs • Prevent complications Early diagnosis and treatment of bronchiectasis are important. The sooner your doctor can start treating any underlying conditions that may be causing the bronchiectasis, the better the chances of preventing further damage to your lungs. The mainstays of treatment for bronchiectasis are: • Medications, especially antibiotics • Chest physical therapy (CPT) Medications The main medicines used to treat bronchiectasis are: • Antibiotics are the main treatment for the repeated respiratory infections that bronchiectasis causes. Doctors usually prescribe oral antibiotics to treat these infections. For hard-to-treat infections, you may be given antibiotics through a tube into a vein in your arm. Your doctor may be able to help you arrange for a home care provider to give you intravenous antibiotics at home. • Bronchodilators open your airways b
