- Chronic bronchitis is the inflammation and eventual scarring of the lining of the bronchial tubes. When the bronchi are inflamed and/or infected, less air is able to flow to and from the lungs and a heavy mucus or phlegm is coughed up. The condition is defined by the presence of a mucus-producing cough most days of the month, three months of a year for two successive years without other underlying disease to explain the cough.
- This inflammation eventually leads to scarring of the lining of the bronchial tubes. Once the bronchial tubes have been irritated over a long period of time, excessive mucus is produced constantly, the lining of the bronchial tubes becomes thickened, an irritating cough develops, and air flow may be hampered, the lungs become scarred. The bronchial tubes then make an ideal breeding place for bacterial infections within the airways, which eventually impedes airflow.
- In 2003, an estimated 8.6 million Americans were diagnosed with chronic bronchitis by a health professional. Chronic bronchitis affects people of all ages, but is higher in those over 45 years old.
- Females are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with chronic bronchitis as males. In 2003, 2.7 million males had a diagnosis of chronic bronchitis compared to 5.8 million females.
- Symptoms of chronic bronchitis include chronic cough, increased mucus, frequent clearing of the throat and shortness of breath.
For more information on Chronic Bronchitis, please review the Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema Morbidity and Mortality Trend Report in the Data and Statistics section of www.lungusa.org or call the American Lung Association at 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872).
Sources
American Thoracic Society. Standards for Diagnosis and Care of Patients with COPD. American Journal of Respiratory Care Medicine. Vol. 152 pp. S77-S120, 1995.
National Center for Health Statistics. Raw Data from the National Health Interview Survey, U.S., 2002. (Analysis by the American Lung Association, Using SPSS and SUDAAN software).
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