Bronchitis
| here are two types of bronchitis: acute (begins suddenly and clears up quickly) and chronic
(long-term and recurrent). Chronic bronchitis is one of several diseases collectively known as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD. Other diseases in this category include; asthmatic bronchitis, chronic obstructive bronchitis, bullous disease, and emphysema.In chronic bronchitis, the airways (bronchi) become inflamed, congested, and narrowed. Persons also have a continuous or a recurrent excess of mucus secretion, which affects the bronchial tree. The body’s natural mechanism to rid itself of the excess mucus is by coughing. If one has a frequent overproduction of mucus with cough, and the cough occurs continuously for three consecutive months during two consecutive years; this person is usually diagnosed with chronic bronchitis. The primary cause of chronic bronchitis is smoking. However, continuous exposure to other irritants such as occupational dusts, noxious gases, environmental pollution, and bacterial (possibly viral) infections, can also cause chronic bronchitis. In response to smoke or other irritants, the linings of the lung’s airways become thickened and narrowed. Mucus-producing glands in the bronchi increase and produce excessive mucus, which often impairs the normal coughing mechanism for clearing the airways. | ||||||
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