Tracheobronchomalacia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 2, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Tracheobronchomalacia?
A pulmonologist, a doctor who specializes in lung and airway diseases, usually treats tracheobronchomalacia. Children are often seen by a pediatric pulmonologist. Severe cases can involve the voice box, swallowing, or the heart, so care may also include an ear, nose, and throat doctor or a surgeon.
What it is
Tracheobronchomalacia is a condition in which the walls of the windpipe and the large airways leading into the lungs are too soft and floppy. The windpipe, or trachea, carries air from your throat to your lungs, and the bronchi carry air into each lung. When these tubes are weak, they can partly collapse, especially when you breathe out, making it harder for air to move in and out.
Symptoms
Signs can range from mild to severe; some people never know they have it, while others struggle with breathing every day. Common signs include noisy breathing, a lasting cough, frequent chest infections, and shortness of breath, especially during activity or illness.
Causes and who gets it
Some people are born with soft airway cartilage, which is common in babies, especially those born early. Others develop it later in life from smoking, chest injuries, long use of a breathing tube, or pressure on the airway.
How doctors diagnose it
Doctors start with a health history, a physical exam, and tests like chest X-rays or CT scans. The best test is bronchoscopy, where a thin, flexible tube with a camera is passed into the airways so the doctor can watch them collapse during breathing.
Treatment
Mild cases often need no treatment beyond watching for infections and managing symptoms. Care may include medicines for cough or wheezing and treating chest infections quickly. Severe cases may need a stent, surgery to strengthen the airway walls, or a tracheostomy.
When to see a doctor
Talk to a doctor if you or your child has persistent noisy breathing, a lasting cough, repeated chest infections, or shortness of breath that limits daily activity. Seek care right away for trouble breathing, bluish lips or skin, or a baby struggling to feed or breathe.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either type can be a helpful first stop: they can evaluate a lingering cough or noisy breathing, order chest X-rays and basic breathing tests, treat chest infections, and help with quitting smoking. If results suggest tracheobronchomalacia, they will refer you to a pulmonologist for advanced care.
Common questions
Does tracheobronchomalacia go away on its own?
Many babies born with soft airways improve as they grow, often within the first couple of years of life. Adult cases usually do not reverse on their own, but symptoms can often be managed. Each person's outlook is different.
Is tracheobronchomalacia dangerous?
Mild cases are often harmless and cause few problems. Severe cases can cause serious breathing trouble and frequent infections, so they need specialist care. A doctor can help judge how severe the condition is.
Can adults get tracheobronchomalacia?
Yes. Adults can develop it after years of smoking, chest injuries, long use of a breathing tube, or pressure on the airway. Some adult cases have no clear cause.
What is the difference between tracheomalacia and tracheobronchomalacia?
Tracheomalacia affects only the windpipe. Tracheobronchomalacia affects the windpipe and the bronchi, which are the large branches leading into the lungs. The symptoms and treatments are similar.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Lung Disease
- National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) - Congenital Tracheomalacia
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
