My understanding is that over time, with multiple chest infections, flus, bronchitis, the airways in the lungs begin to get inflamed, and eventually it is difficult for the airway passages to clear out the mucus that collects there.
I first began my lung problem with having difficulty clearing mucus; it would get stuck. I would steam to loosen the mucus, and my husband would do manual percussion to help me clear. I coughed a lot.
This is the time, 10 years ago, when my pulmonologist diagnosed BE from my first CT scan. It was another 5 years after this diagnosis that another pulmonologist prescribed Advair; I was still having to steam from time to time to clear my lungs. But the Advair worked wonders. Another 4 years and I moved from Texas to Colorado. After visiting pulmonologists in the Denver metroplex and not receiving proper care for BE, I became a patient in the Bronchiectasis Clinic at National Jewish Health in Denver. As I age, my lungs get worse, but the care at NJH has definitely set me up for greater ongoing lung health. With my Airway Clearance regimen, I can tell my lungs are stronger.
It took me many years to understand Bronchiectasis and what is happening to my lungs, and I still continue to learn. I gather a lot of information through the Bronchiectasis and NTM.org website and especially through connect.mayoclinic.org.
Finding a good doctor who understands Bronchiectasis is key. These doctors seem to be few and far between.
Best of luck......Pam