How will a doctor diagnose bronchiectasis?

How will a doctor diagnose bronchiectasis?

Bronchiectasis is believed to be underdiagnosed. If your symptoms lead your doctor to suspect this disease, the following tests are likely to be ordered:

• Chest CT scan or X-ray, imaging tests to show the state of the lungs.
• Blood tests and sputum cultures to find out if there are infections.
• Lung function tests to determine how well you are breathing/how well your lungs are working.
• Bronchoscopy, which is a way to see inside the lungs. The method uses a light and a camera on a tube inserted through the nose or mouth and then down the trachea into the lungs. In the case of blockages, a bronchoscopy can also find and remove the object blocking the airways. The procedure can also be used to obtain lung secretions.