What is the difference between bronchitis and bronchiectasis

Many friends confuse bronchitis and bronchiectasis and regard these two diseases as one. In fact, there are many differences between the two diseases. First of all, in terms of symptoms, bronchitis has a longer course and chronic cough, while bronchiectasis will also cause cough and thick sputum.

1. Different symptoms

Chronic bronchitis has a long course and is often manifested by chronic cough, sputum and wheezing. The severity of the cough depends on the condition of the disease. It usually gets worse in the morning and is lighter during the day, and coughing fits may occur before going to bed. Waking up or changing body position will cause irritating expectoration. The sputum is generally white mucus or mucoid foam, occasionally with blood, and the amount is largest in the early morning. Patients with wheezing chronic bronchitis will experience wheezing or shortness of breath symptoms, which are more obvious after activity.

The typical manifestation of bronchiectasis is chronic cough accompanied by large amounts of thick sputum, which is more obvious and abundant in the morning or before bedtime. Hemoptysis is also a symptom of this disease, which occurs repeatedly and the amount of hemoptysis varies. Most patients will experience symptoms such as indirect fever, fatigue, palpitations, etc. Severe cases of this disease can cause breathing difficulties and cyanosis and clubbing of fingers (toes).

2. Different lung murmurs

In chronic bronchitis, moist rales are often heard at the bases of both lungs, which may disappear after coughing and are not fixed.

Bronchiectasis is characterized by moist rales in the lungs, which are often located on one side and fixed in the lower lung.

3. X-ray examination is different

X-ray examination of chronic bronchitis may show thickened and disordered lung texture, and the appearance of reticular, linear or spotted shadows.

X-ray examination of bronchiectasis may show increased, thickened, and disordered lung texture, as well as the appearance of honeycomb or curly-like shadows.