If you’ve recently been diagnosed with bronchiectasis you probably have a lot of questions. Your first post-diagnosis visit with your doctor is the time to get answers and to begin to make sense of bronchiectasis and the treatment you’ll need moving forward.

According to the American Lung Association, these are some questions you might want to ask your doctor:

What caused my bronchiectasis?
There are many reasons why a person may have developed bronchiectasis. Your doctor should be able to tell you what caused yours.

Am I contagious?
If you have a lung infection you may be contagious, you may need to avoid people with compromised health.

How regularly will I need to provide a mucus sample?
Mucus samples may need to be tested fairly regularly.

MORE: What to expect when living with bronchiectasis.

What are the signs I’m having an exacerbation? 
Knowing the signs and symptoms will help you to seek treatment as soon as possible.

What will I have to do when I’m having an exacerbation? 
Managing your exacerbations will help to minimize their severity.

How can I prevent exacerbations?
You may need to make lifestyle changes to help prevent exacerbations.

MORE: Six tips for managing bronchiectasis on a day-to-day basis. 

If prescribed medications aren’t working, should I continue taking them?
Your doctor can advise you on what to do if you feel your medications aren’t working.

Can I use over-the-counter products for coughs and colds?
This may depend on the type of infection you have.

How will I better deal with the emotional side of having bronchiectasis?
Having a chronic disease may have an impact on your mental health. It’s important you address it if it becomes a problem.

MORE: Find out more about bronchiectasis.

Bronchiectasis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.