Chronic Bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis is a long-term lung condition that affects the airways, which are the tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. It causes the lining of these airways to become inflamed and produce too much mucus, leading to a persistent cough that lasts for months. This excess mucus can block airflow and make it hard to breathe, especially during physical activity. The condition mainly affects the respiratory system and is often linked to smoking or exposure to air pollutants. People with chronic bronchitis may experience frequent chest infections and feel tired due to reduced oxygen intake. Over time, it can lead to more serious lung problems and impact overall health.

Chronic bronchitis is defined as a clinical syndrome characterized by chronic inflammation of the bronchial tubes with hypersecretion of mucus, resulting in a productive cough lasting at least 3 months in each of 2 consecutive years. The core pathology involves hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the mucus-secreting glands in the bronchial walls, leading to airway obstruction. It is most commonly caused by long-term exposure to cigarette smoke and other inhaled irritants, which trigger chronic airway inflammation. This condition is a major component of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and contributes to airflow limitation and recurrent respiratory infections. The chronic inflammation also leads to structural changes such as fibrosis and narrowing of the airways, worsening respiratory function. Clinically, it is significant due to its impact on quality of life and increased risk of respiratory failure.