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Treatment and prognosis

TREATMENT AND PROGNOSIS

While you are in hospital, you will likely receive a variety of treatments for your lung flare-up. It is important to understand the role of each treatment and to ask if you are unsure why it is being prescribed.

Review some of the common therapies below and click on the image to find out more.

Airway clearance therapy

Typically guided by a physiotherapist to help remove the excess mucus from your lungs. May involve a number of different treatment techniques which may be similar to what you use when you are well or different.

Physical activity

Involves restoration of exercise and muscle strengthening to optimize your function and regain your fitness.

Antibiotics

Will be prescribed if your airway infection is thought to be contributing to your flare-up

Relievers

May be prescribed if opening up of your airways is necessary and to help manage your symptoms of breathlessness or wheezing

Corticosteroids

May be taken orally to help reduce airway inflammation and reduce the severity of the flare-up

Oxygen

Provided if your levels of oxygen within your bloodstream are deemed to be inadequate

Non-invasive ventilation

Breathing support will be delivered via a nose or face mask if the prolonged periods of breathing distress and inadequate oxygen or too much carbon dioxide in your blood are present

Allied health therapy

Input from a range of professionals, including dietician, occupational therapists and social workers to optimize recovery and facilitate discharge planning

Role of the healthcare team

During your hospital stay, you will likely encounter a range of healthcare professionals, including medical, nursing and allied health professionals. To help you understand their roles, click on the boxes below to learn a little more about the members of your team (same format as per COPD):

Replicate what you have for COPD with 1 exception for physiotherapist – Helps clearance of mucus from your lung airways, symptom management (breathlessness) and optimizes exercise levels and activity during the hospital stay and upon discharge.

Prognosis after flare-ups of bronchiectasis

Flare-ups of bronchiectasis are serious events and are associated with decline in lung function, poorer quality of life and a progression in symptoms. Recovery can be slower or suboptimal if no action is taken. Flare-ups also increase the risk of future flare-ups and readmissions to hospital.

Optimising recovery after a flare-up is important to reduce the risk of further flare-ups. Ensure you have a recovery plan in place before you leave the hospital

To help prevent flare-ups, the following strategies may help:

  1. Using your Bronchiectasis Action Plan developed with your GP / lung specialist and reviewing this plan regularly
  2. Familiarizing yourself with your symptom pattern so you can identify early signs of becoming unwell, specific to you.
  3. Learning about your triggers (exposure to family members with colds, exposure to tough weather conditions, missing regular airway clearance therapy sessions)
  4. Undertaking a regular airway clearance therapy plan to manage your lung phlegm to minimize its opportunity to accumulate
  5. Having up-to-date immunizations for flu and pneumonia
  6. Being diligent with hand hygiene and distancing from people with colds or flue
  7. Taking medications consistently as prescribing and correctly using any prescribed inhalers
  8. Keeping physically active and well, and maintaining a healthy diet
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References