Chronic Bronchitis
Current as of: June 9, 2019
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:E. Gregory Thompson, MD – Internal Medicine & Adam Husney, MD – Family Medicine & R. Steven Tharratt, MD, FACP, FCCP – Pulmonology, Critical Care Medicine
In chronic bronchitis, exposure to tobacco smoke and other lung irritants over time can lead to inflammation in the airways that deliver air into the lungs (bronchial tubes). As a result, the airways produce more mucus than they would normally. Inflammation and extra mucus reduce air flow and cause coughing. Mucus…