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Chronic Bronchitis
Alternate Names : Bronchitis - Chronic
Definition
Chronic bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi, the main air passages in the lungs, which persists for a long period or repeatedly recurs.
The condition is characterized by excessive bronchial mucus and a productive cough that produces sputum for three months or more in at least two consecutive years, without any other disease that could account for this symptom.
Pictures & Images
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Cigarette smoking (and exposure to secondhand smoke) is the chief cause of this disease. Air pollution, infection, and allergies are exacerbating factors. The longer and heavier the smoking or contact with secondhand smoke is, the more severe the bronchitis tends to be.
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 U.S.
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Jump to another section
• Definition
• Chronic Bronchitis Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Chronic Bronchitis Symptoms & Signs
• Chronic Bronchitis Prevention
• Chronic Bronchitis Diagnosis & Tests
• Chronic Bronchitis Treatment
• Chronic Bronchitis Prognosis
• Chronic Bronchitis Complications
• Chronic Bronchitis Support Groups
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Acute Bronchitis
• Allergies
• Arrhythmias
• Asthma
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
• Cor Pulmonale
• Emphysema
• Pneumonia
• Respiratory Acidosis
Tests & Exams
• CBC
• Chest X-Ray
• Pulmonary Function Tests
• Thoracic CT
Other Topics
• Breathing Difficulty
• Cough
• Coughing Up Blood
• Fatigue
• Foot, Leg, and Ankle Swelling
• Headache
• Lung Disease - Resources
• Respiratory
• Wheezing
Review Date : 11/15/2002
Reviewed By : David A. Kaufman, M.D., Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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