Chronic bronchitis

Definition:

An inflammation of the bronchi, the main air passages to the lungs, that occurs over a long period and recurs over several years.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Chronic bronchitis is a condition of excessive bronchial mucus with a productive cough for 3 months or more in at least 2 consecutive years without any other disease that could account for this symptom. Chronic bronchitis is also known as chronic obstructive pulmonary (lung) disease. Cigarette smoking (active and passive exposure) is the chief cause of this disease, with air pollution, infection, familial factors, and allergies as exacerbating factors. The severity of the disease relates to the amount and duration of smoking. Chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma as a group are the fifth leading cause of death in the US. The incidence is 2 out of 100 people.