Bronchiectasis, Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia and Cystic Fibrosis Flashcards
Bronchiectasis: definition
Permanent dilatation of one or more bronchi, whereby the elastic and muscular tissue of the bronchial walls is destroyed by acute or chronic infection.
Bronchiectasis: PT management
> Excess bronchial secretions: teach Airway Clearance Technique (ACT) or Autogenic Drainage (AD).
> Hypertonic saline: improves sputum weight, ease of expectoration and lung function and reduces viscosity.
> Acute exacerbation of infection: use of nebulized bronchodilator and/or humidification. Only stop PT treatment if frank haemoptysis.
> Breathlessness: rare in bronchiectasis. Use rest positions and breathing control.
> Reduced exercise tolerance: exercise should be encouraged to improve general physical fitness.
> Chest wall pain of MSK origin
Bronchiectasis: evaluation of PT
Effective treatment can be recognized by:
- ↓ in quantity and purulence of sputum
- Absence of fever
- Improvements in spirometry
- ↓ in breathlessness
- ↑ in exercise tolerance
- ↑ energy levels
- ↓ or absence of chest wall pain
Cystic Fibrosis (CF): definition
Autosomal recessive condition. The consequences are a destructive progressive supurative bronchiectasis. The cycle of infection and inflammation impairs ciliary function and reduces mucus clearance.
