Chronic bronchitis

Getting the best care when you have chronic bronchitis is essential to managing symptoms. Advocate Health Care’s team of expert pulmonologists provide the most up-to-date treatments and testing for chronic bronchitis.

Learn more about lung and respiratory care at Advocate Health Care.

A type of COPD

COPD and chronic bronchitis are often interchangeable. Chronic bronchitis is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that requires consistent management and care. Your doctor may refer to chronic bronchitis as COPD.

Chronic bronchitis is the inflammation of the airways, including the bronchi or bronchioles in your lungs. The bronchi are the main airways into your lungs and branch off into the smaller passages, the bronchioles.

One of the main causes of chronic bronchitis is smoking or being exposed to pollution over a long time.

Chronic vs. acute bronchitis

Bronchitis involves inflammation of the bronchial tubes that carry air to and from your lungs. A persistent cough that produces mucus is often present in people with bronchitis, which can be acute or chronic.

• Acute bronchitis: Typically develops from a common cold or respiratory infection. Symptoms of acute bronchitis may improve within a few days and only last up to three weeks.
• Chronic bronchitis: Bronchitis is considered chronic if the symptoms, usually a cough that produces mucus, last more than three months over a two-year period. The continuous inflammation causes mucus to build up in the bronchial tubes and restricts airflow to and from the lungs. It’s common for people with chronic bronchitis to develop emphysema.

What’s the difference between emphysema and chronic bronchitis?

Both emphysema and chronic bronchitis are types of COPD. While both diseases share common causes and symptoms, they have distinct differences.

For example, chronic bronchitis is defined as a chronic, persistent cough that’s caused by bronchial inflammation, or the inflammation of the bronchial tubes in the lungs. Whereas emphysema is defined by the enlargement and damage to the air sacs (alveoli).

There is also a difference in the effects of each condition. The inflammation from chronic bronchitis leads to the thickening of the walls, increased production of mucus and narrowing of the airways. Emphysema leads to the formation of large pockets of unusable air and loss of the lungs’ elasticity.

People with COPD have symptoms of both chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and both are primarily caused by smoking.

Chronic bronchitis symptoms

The primary symptom of chronic bronchitis is a persistent cough that produces mucus and lasts more than three months. Other chronic bronchitis symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Fatigue
• Fast heart rate (tachycardia)
• Frequent respiratory infections

Causes of chronic bronchitis

The primary risk factor for chronic bronchitis is smoking. Prolonged exposure to tobacco smoke irritates the bronchial tubes and leads to inflammation. Some chronic bronchitis risk factors include:

• Environmental factors: Exposure to dust, chemical fumes, and air pollution can contribute to the development of chronic bronchitis.
• Recurrent respiratory infections: Frequent lung infections can lead to chronic bronchitis or worsen the condition.
• Genetic factors: Some individuals may be genetically predisposed to developing chronic bronchitis.

Chronic bronchitis treatments

There is no cure for chronic bronchitis. Once you're diagnosed, your Advocate pulmonologists will give you tips on managing chronic bronchitis, which will include lifestyle changes.

To get a chronic bronchitis diagnosis, your Advocate pulmonologist will do a physical exam and review of your medical history. They may order imagery testing (CT scan or chest x-ray).

If you’re diagnosed with chronic bronchitis, Advocate Health Care offers the latest treatment for chronic bronchitis. Treatments for chronic bronchitis include:

• Antibiotic or antiviral medications
• Bronchial thermoplasty
• Bronchodilator therapy
• Chest physiotherapy
• Inhaled corticosteroids
• Oral steroids
• Oxygen therapy
• Pulmonary rehabilitation
• Surgery

Preventing chronic bronchitis

The best way to prevent chronic bronchitis is to avoid smoking. Protective measures like wearing face coverings in polluted or dusty environments, ensuring good indoor air quality and avoiding exposure to respiratory irritants can also help prevent the development of chronic bronchitis.