Bronchiectasis is a long-term lung condition in which the airways, called bronchi, become permanently widened, thickened and scarred. Because the damaged airways can’t clear mucus well, mucus builds up and bacteria can grow, leading to repeated infections that cause even more damage. Bronchiectasis can affect one section of a lung or many sections of both lungs.

An estimated 350,000 to 500,000 adults in the United States live with bronchiectasis, and many more may be undiagnosed because its symptoms resemble asthma and COPD. There is no cure, but early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent flare-ups, slow lung damage and help people live a full, active life.