Editing Bronchiectasis (section)

==Signs and symptoms==
[[File:Depiction of a person suffering from Bronchiectasis.png|thumb|upright=1.3|The typical symptoms of bronchiectasis are shown. Also, the change in bronchi under bronchiectasis are illustrated.]]

Symptoms of bronchiectasis commonly include a cough productive of frequent green or yellow [[sputum]] lasting months to years.<ref name="Mc2013" /> Other common symptoms include [[Shortness of breath|difficulty breathing]], [[Wheeze|wheezing]] (a whistling sound when you breathe), and [[chest pain]]. Exacerbations of symptoms may occur, these exacerbations occur more frequently in advanced or severe disease.<ref name="O'Donnell NEJM" /> Systemic symptoms, including fevers, chills, night sweats, fatigue and weight loss may be seen with bronchiectasis.<ref name="O'Donnell NEJM" /> Bronchiectasis may also present with [[hemoptysis|coughing up blood]] in the absence of sputum, which has been called "dry bronchiectasis."

Exacerbations in bronchiectasis present as a worsening of cough, increasing sputum volume or thickened consistency lasting at least 48 hours, worsening shortness of breath (breathlessness), worsening exercise intolerance, increased fatigue or [[malaise]] and the development of hemoptysis.<ref name="O'Donnell NEJM" />

People often report frequent bouts of "bronchitis" requiring therapy with repeated courses of antibiotics. People with bronchiectasis may have [[bad breath]] from active infection. On examination, [[Crackles|crepitations]] and expiratory [[rhonchi]] may be heard with auscultation. [[Nail clubbing]] is a rare symptom.<ref name="Mc2013" />

The complications of bronchiectasis include serious health conditions, such as [[respiratory failure]] and [[atelectasis]]:
collapse or closure of a lung. Respiratory failure occurs when not enough oxygen passes from the lungs into the blood.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/bronchiectasis|title=Bronchiectasis |work=National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) |date=24 March 2022 |publisher=US National Library of Medicine}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> Atelectasis occur when one or more segments of the lungs collapse or do not inflate properly. Other pulmonary complications include lung [[abscess]] and [[empyema]]. Cardiovascular complications include [[Pulmonary heart disease|cor pulmonale]], in which there is enlargement and failure of the right side of the heart as a result of disease of the lungs.<ref>{{EMedicine|article|296961|Bronchiectasis: Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology|}}</ref>