Bronchitis is an uncomfortable disease; people have problems breathing and a very bad cough. Chronic bronchitis is an obstruction of the airflow. Bronchitis is an inflammation or irritation of the airways in the lungs. Airway is the tubes in the lungs and air pass through them. Chronic: means a condition that last a very long time. Chronic bronchitis is a disease that last longer that three months.
When the airway passages are irritated an inflamed thick mucus pass from them. The mucus clogs the airway and the air has a hard time getting air into the lungs. Cigarette smoking is the main cause of chronic bronchitis. Tobacco smoke causes irritates in the lungs passage way and causes mucus. Smoke is not the only thing that causes chronic bronchitis, chemicals fumes, dust and other air pollutants
Chronic bronchitis is one of the main factors, people develop (COPD) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is the fourth leading death in America. Cigarette smoking is the main factor of the emphysema. Non Smokers also are at risk of chronic bronchitis and may suffer from cancer. People with chronic bronchitis may suffer from respiratory failure or obstructive airway disease, others acute exacerbations
There is no cure for chronic bronchitis, but there is a management to handling this disease and that is not to smoke, use drugs, or any type of inhalant that will irritate the throat or lungs and visit the doctor for chest x-rays and the doctor may have the patient use an antibiotic therapy. A biopsy includes a goblet cell hyperphlasia, mucosal and submucosaland inflammation. Medication and proper rest can manage chronic bronchitis and drinking plenty of fluids.
References:
American Family Physician, (2008). Retrieved on May 3 2008 from http://www.aafp.org/afp/98051ap/health.html