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Chronic bronchitis Causes and Risks:
Chronic bronchitis is a condition of excessive bronchial mucus with a productive cough for 3 months or more in at least 2 consecutive years without any other disease that could account for this symptom. Chronic bronchitis is also known as chronic obstructive pulmonary (lung) disease. Cigarette smoking (active and passive exposure) is the chief cause of this disease, with air pollution, infection, familial factors, and allergies as exacerbating factors. The severity of the disease relates to the amount and duration of smoking . Chronic bronchitis, emphysema , and asthma as a group are the fifth leading cause of death in the US. The incidence is 2 out of 100 people.
Prevention:
Early recognition and treatment of small airway disease in people who smoke, combined with smoking cessation, may prevent the progression of the disease.
Symptoms:
Signs and Tests:
Treatment:
There is no cure for chronic bronchitis. Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms and preventing complications. Smoking and all other respiratory irritants should be avoided.Antibiotics are prescribed for infections, as needed.Respiratory treatments including nebulizers and postural drainage facilitate the removal of thick mucus from the airways. Home oxygen therapy, physical exercise programs, breathing exercises, and patient education programs all contribute to the treatment plan.
Support Groups:
The stress of illness can often be helped by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems. See lung disease - support group .
Prognosis:
The chance for recovery is poor for advanced disease. Early recognition and treatment combined with smoking cessation improves the chance of a good outcome significantly.
Complications:
Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call your health care provider if respiratory infection or unexplained symptoms develop, or you are coughing up blood .
This is an illustration of the major features of the lungs and bronchial tree. The inset is of the alveoli. They are the microscopic blood vessel-lined sacks in which oxygen and carbon dioxide gas are exchanged.
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