Chronic bronchitis is an inflammation of the main airways in the lungs that continues for a long period or keeps coming back.
Alternative Names
Bronchitis - chronic
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Cigarette smoking is the main cause of chronic bronchitis. The more a person smokes, the more likely it becomes that the person will get bronchitis and that the bronchitis will be severe.
Secondhand smoke may also cause chronic bronchitis. Air pollution, infection, and allergies make chronic bronchitis worse.
Chronic bronchitis is one form of chronic obstructive pulmonary (lung) disease. Chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma as a group are a leading cause of death in the United States.
Symptoms
Cough that produces mucus (sputum), which may be blood streaked
Shortness of breath aggravated by exertion or mild activity
Frequent respiratory infections that worsen symptoms
Ankle, foot, and leg swelling that affects both sides
Headaches
Signs and tests
To be diagnosed with chronic bronchitis, the cough and excessive mucus production must have occurred for 3 months or more in at least 2 consecutive years and not be due to any other disease or condition.
There is no cure for chronic bronchitis. The goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms and prevent complications. It is crucial to quit smoking to prevent chronic bronchitis from getting worse. Any other respiratory irritants should be avoided.
Inhaled medications that dilate (widen) the airways and decrease inflammation may help reduce symptoms such as wheezing.
Antibiotics may be prescribed for infections as needed.
Corticosteroids may occasionally be used during flare-ups of wheezing or in people with severe bronchitis that does not respond to other treatments.
Industrial bronchitis (4 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Industrial bronchitis is an inflammation of the large airways of the lungs in people who work around dusts, fumes, smoke, or other substances. Reviewer: David A. Kaufman, M.D., Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary, CriticalCare & Sleep Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY. Reviewprovided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 05/03/2006
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (7 images)
Average Rating:
(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of lung diseases that cause swelling of the¿airways.¿ Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the most common forms of COPD. Reviewer: David A. Kaufman, M.D., Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 05/03/2006
Bronchitis (7 images)
Average Rating:
(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the main air passages to the lungs. Bronchitis may be short-lived (acute) or chronic, meaning that it lasts a long time and often recurs. Reviewer: Allen J. Blaivas, DO, Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Veteran Affairs, VA New Jersey Health Care System, East Orange, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 08/03/2007
Acute bronchitis (5 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Acute bronchitis is an inflammation of the main airways to the lungs (the bronchi) that usually lasts for a brief period of time. It is not the same as chronic bronchitis, which often persists for a longer period of time. Reviewer: Allen J. Blaivas, D.O., Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Veteran Affairs, VA New Jersey Health Care System, East Orange, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 05/20/2007
Aging changes in the lungs (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information) Reviewer: David A. Kaufman, M.D., Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 11/13/2006
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