Bronchiectasis (bronk-ee-EK-tuh-sis) happens when the airways in your lungs become wider and weaker than normal. These damaged airways can’t clear out mucus properly, so it builds up and traps germs. This leads to repeated lung infections and more damage over time.

Causes

Sometimes doctors don’t know what exactly the cause of it is, but common causes are:

• Frequent lung infections like pneumonia or tuberculosis 

• Having cystic fibrosis

• Immune system problems

• Breathing in something harmful, like food or acid from the stomach

• Being born with lung problems

Symptoms

• A wet cough that doesn’t go away 

• Coughing up thick mucus (green or yellow)

• Feeling tired

• Wheezing or shortness of breath

• Getting sick with chest infections often

• Less appetite or vomiting mucus after coughing