Definition:
Primarily a smoker's disease, chronic bronchitis is a form of COPD characterized by recurrent inflammation of the main airways (bronchial tubes) of the lungs due to long-term exposure to an inhaled irritant, usually cigarette smoke.
Primarily a smoker's disease, chronic bronchitis is a form of COPD characterized by recurrent inflammation of the main airways (bronchial tubes) of the lungs due to long-term exposure to an inhaled irritant, usually cigarette smoke.
Chronic bronchitis causes mucus glands to produce too much sputum, resulting in a thickening of the walls of the air passages and leading to a chronic cough and breathing difficulties.
A chronic cough, and associated breathing problems, that lasts a minimum of three months of the year for two consecutive years typically results in the diagnosis of chronic bronchitis.
See also:
"COPD Information"
"Do I Have COPD?"
About.com's COPD Guide Site
