What is Chronic Bronchitis
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Chronic Bronchitis Definition
Chronic bronchitis is a condition in which the airways in the lungs become inflamed. In chronic bronchitis, the condition lasts for a long time or continues to recur. Chronic bronchitis is one form of an illness called Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
When these airways become inflamed or irritated, thick mucus forms inside the airways. This makes it difficult to breathe.
Prognosis depends on the severity of the bronchitis. If you have mild or moderate chronic bronchitis, you can usually keep the condition well-controlled with medication and therapy to improve lung function. If you have severe chronic bronchitis, you may have a more difficult time controlling symptoms.
The best ways to improve prognosis of chronic bronchitis is to begin treatment early and stop smoking.
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