1. Explanation
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, the airways that carry air to your lungs. When
your airways are inflamed and/or infected, less air is able to flow to and from the lungs and you cough
up heavy mucus or phlegm.
After a long period of irritation:
 Excess mucus is produced constantly
 The lining of the airways becomes thickened
 An irritating cough develops
 Air flow may be hampered
 The lungs become scarred
 The airways then make an ideal breeding place for infections.
Cells that line the airways in the lungs normally produce mucus as part of the body's defense
mechanism against bacteria, viruses, and other foreign particles. The mucus traps these particles,
and tiny hair-like projections in the airways (called cilia) sweep the dirty mucus up and out of the
lungs.
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In chronic bronchitis, more mucus than normal is constantly produced. This causes a build -up of
excess mucus that the cilia are unable to clear from the lungs. Exacerbating this is the fact that the
cilia become dysfunctional and are less efficient at expelling mucus from the lungs. The build-up of
mucus narrows the airways and provides havens for bacteria to thrive leading to more frequent and
serious lung infections, and even more mucus production.
As time goes on, colds become more damaging. Coughing and bringing up phlegm last longer after
each cold. Without realizing it, you may begin to take this coughing and mucus production as a
matter of course, all year long. Generally, the cough is worse in the morning and in damp, cold
weather.
Treatment will help your symptoms, but chronic bronchitis is a long-term condition that keeps coming
back or never goes away completely.
People often ignore the signs of chronic bronchitis until it is advanced, because they mistakenly
believe that the disease is not life-threatening. Chronic bronchitis can be found early and there is
much that can be done to treat and help manage the disease.
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3. What Causes Bronchitis?
Repeatedly breathing in fumes that irritate and damage lung and airway tissues causes chronic
bronchitis. Smoking is the major cause of the condition.
Smoking causes lung disease as well as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. There is
no cure for Chronic Bronchitis and people often slowly die from lack of air. Pneumonia and
respiratory problems are far more common in smokers. For people with asthma, even breathing
someone else’s smoke can trigger a severe attack.
If you quit smoking, you will breathe better. You will cough less than people who continue to smoke.
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Why Smoking Causes Chronic Bronchitis
Cigarette smoking is the number one risk factor for developing chronic bronchitis. Over 90 percent of
patients with chronic bronchitis have a smoking history.
Cigarette smoke is filled with chemicals and irritants that damage the lining of a person's airways, or
bronchial tubes, and lead to a buildup of mucus. Your body will try to protect your lungs from the
irritation of cigarette smoke by producing more mucus. As a person continues smoking over time, that
smoke causes the lungs to produce so much mucus that it drowns the cilia and causes a chronic
cough. Coughing is the body’s way of trying to clear the lungs of excess mucus. But when the mucus
gets stuck in the lungs, bacteria multiply and cause infection and inflammation.
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How Is Bronchitis Treated?
If you have chronic bronchitis, you may need medicines to open your airways and help clear away
mucus. Your doctor may prescribe oxygen therapy. This treatment can help you breathe easier, and
it provides your body with needed oxygen.
One of the best ways to treat acute and chronic bronchitis is to remove the source of irritation and
damage to your lungs. If you smoke, it's very important to quit.
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How Can Bronchitis Be Prevented?

4. You can take steps to lower your risk for both conditions. The most important step is to quit smoking
or not start smoking. Also, try to avoid other lung irritants, such as secondhand smoke, dust, fumes,
vapors, and air pollution. VALENTIN