Chronic Bronchitis Summary Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, the airways that carry air to your lungs. It causes a cough that often brings up mucus. It can also cause shortness of breath, wheezing, a low fever, and chest tightness. There are two main types of bronchitis: acute and chronic. Chronic bronchitis is one type of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). The inflamed bronchial tubes produce a lot of mucus. This leads to coughing and difficulty breathing. Cigarette smoking is the most common cause. Breathing in air pollution, fumes, or dust over a long period of time may also cause it. To diagnose chronic bronchitis, your doctor will look at your signs and symptoms and listen to your breathing. You may also have other tests. Chronic bronchitis is a long-term condition that keeps coming back or never goes away completely. If you smoke, it is important to quit. Treatment can help with your symptoms. It often includes medicines to open your airways and help clear away mucus. You may also need oxygen therapy. Pulmonary rehabilitation may help you manage better in daily life. NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Find an Expert American Lung Association American Lung Association National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Encyclopedia Blood gases Chest x-ray Industrial bronchitis Oxygen safety Using oxygen at home – what to ask your doctor Diagnosis and Tests Blood Gases Test American Association for Clinical Chemistry Cough American Academy of Family Physicians Spirometry Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research What Are Lung Function Tests? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute What Is a Chest X Ray? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Reference Desk Bronchi, Bronchial Tree, & Lungs National Cancer Institute What Are the Lungs? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Start Here Bronchitis National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Chronic Bronchitis National Jewish Health Chronic Bronchitis American Academy of Family Physicians Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work – Bronchitis (Chest Cold) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Teenagers Bronchitis Nemours Foundation Children Bronchitis and Pneumonia California Childcare Health Program Statistics and Research Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Includes: Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema National Center for Health Statistics Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Bronchitis, Chronic National Institutes of Health Prevention and Risk Factors How Can Bronchitis Be Prevented? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute What Causes Bronchitis? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Treatments and Therapies How Is Bronchitis Treated? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Array How to breathe when you are short of breath Traveling with breathing problems Using oxygen at home Related Issues Humidifiers: Air Moisture Eases Skin, Breathing Symptoms Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Living With Living Well with COPD: Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema American College of Chest Physicians Living with Chronic Bronchitis National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute MedlinePlus: Pulmonary Rehabilitation National Library of Medicine Journal Articles Chronic bronchitis Symptoms What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Bronchitis? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
