What is chronic bronchitis?

A recurring mucus-producing cough lasting for months without any apparent reason, may be caused by chronic bronchitis. Here's what you need to know about this respiratory disease.

• Chronic bronchitis is an example of a Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), which is a respiratory illness that generally makes the sufferer experience difficulty in breathing because of partially blocked airways. In this instance, the bronchial tube becomes inflamed due to irritants, causing an obstruction to the airflow.
• Prolonged irritation of the bronchial tube causes changes to the lining of the airways. Ciliated cells, which feature hair-like structures that clear the airways of fluid and particles, will be replaced by goblet cells. Goblet cells secrete mucus, providing the perfect environment for bacterial growth. The absence of the cilia to clean inhaled air and bacterial overgrowth causes the further progression of the disease.
• Like other COPD's, chronic bronchitis progresses gradually, often starting out as an ordinary cough. Most smokers would brush this off as normal "smoker's cough." When left untreated, this disease could lead to scarring of the lungs or other serious complications like pneumonia, emphysema, and it may eventually lead to heart failure.

• Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of chronic bronchitis. In addition to heavy smoking, people exposed to irritants such as secondhand smoke and/or industrial dusts and fumes for a long period are at risk of developing this disease. Allergies and air pollution are also known to aggravate the condition.

• Bronchitis include symptoms like cough with sputum, shortness of breath, fatigue, wheezing, and chest discomfort, which is often aggravated by physical exertion. Some sufferers report chills and fever. If the cough lasts for at least three months in two successive years, it is already considered as chronic bronchitis.
• Physicians diagnose this condition using tests like chest X-ray, pulmonary function test, chest CT scan, arterial blood gas, pulse oximetry, exercise testing, and complete blood count (CBC). Aside from medications, physicians may also require sufferers to undergo physical exercise programs or oxygen therapy.
• Just like other health conditions, early diagnosis of this problem significantly improves the likelihood of having a good outcome. In addition, change of lifestyle is also crucial in alleviating the problem.