Alison Odey

Bronchiectasis is an irreversible widening (chronic dilation) of the bronchi and bronchioles, resulting from damage to the airway wall.

There is often secondary infection, usually involving the lower lobes of the lung.

The cause is usually repeated respiratory infections, such as chronic sinusitis,
allergies, pneumonia, influenza, whooping cough etc, which can directly injure the airway wall or can lead to injury by interfering with normal airway defences, but it can at times be attributed to a congenital malformation of the alveoli, airway obstruction by an inhaled object, a lung tumour or inhaling toxic substances such as toxic fumes, gases, smoke or toxic dust.

Part of the airway defences are tiny cilia on the cells that line the airways that move
the thin liquid layer of mucus that normally coats the air passages.
This mucusallows any potentially harmful particles or bacteria to be moved up to the
throat and expelled.
When the airway becomes chronically damaged and inflamed the bronchial walls become less elastic, wider and flabby, the cells with cilia can be destroyed, and mucus secretions increase. This mucus accumulates as the cilia can no longer move the mucus, so becomes a breeding ground for bacteria.

Any treatment will be directed towards removing infection, decreasing the build
up of mucus and inflammation and relieving airway obstruction.

Fresh air, sunshine, good diet and plenty of rest are all essential. I have seen good improvement in people who shift to warmer climates for the winter, hence avoiding
the cold and damp of our winter and living a more relaxed life style!

In others I have seen improvement when they opted to take immune enhancing and respiratory herbs on a continual basis.

Herbs that soothe the respiratory tract, herbs that can help expectorate mucus, herbs that have immune enhancing effects can often be combined to make extremely effective herbal blends.

Some natural remedies can also be effective anti-inflammatories.

In some cases the use of food enzymes have been known to help as they will help avoid excess build up of mucus due to poor protein digestion if this was a contributing factor.
See page on Enzymes – facts.

Treatment would have to be ongoing however as prognosis depends on how well the condition is controlled.

This is just a snipet of what you need to know, so if you want to know more about this subject or have a personal question of your own, then please email me for a personal consultation, as all natural treatments are best if prescribed individually.
Cost and contact address are on the Contact page.
Alternatively, if possible. – make an appointment