Accessed Jan. 9, 2017. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Chronic bronchitis is a type of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). What is bronchitis? According to the most recent research, about 3 to 7 percent of adults have chronic bronchitis. People who have bronchitis often have a persistent cough that brings up thickened, discolored mucus. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2016. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchi (large and medium-sized airways) in the lungs that causes coughing. Chronic bronchitis symptoms can last for months or years. Chronic bronchitis is a daily productive cough that lasts for 3 months of the year and for at least 2 years in a row. With proper medical management, clinical signs can usually be controlled and further damage to the bronchi can be stopped or slowed. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2017. 2015;65:270. Chest discomfortIf you have acute bronchitis, you might have cold symptoms, such as a mild headache or body aches. Bronchitis (chest cold). Occupational Medicine. People who have acute bronchitis generally have very few problems with their recovery as long as they get the treatment they need. Quitting smoking is also essential for patients with chronic bronchitis, … To reduce your risk of bronchitis, follow these tips: Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. The major complications of chronic bronchitis are severe shortness of breath, COPD, respiratory failure, and an increased mortality rate. Chronic bronchitis has several more notable symptoms than emphysema. Chronic bronchitis itself does not cause an increase in mortality unless there is an associated decline in lung function. Accessed Jan. 9, 2017. Shortness of breath 5. At those times, you may have an acute infection on top of chronic bronchitis. Accessed Jan. 10, 2017. Your prognosis, or outlook, for the future will depend on how well your lungs are functioning and your symptoms. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The … Periodic relapses of coughing are not unusual and require treatment. 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 |. Chronic bronchitis is defined as cough productive of sputum that persists for three months out of the year for at least two consecutive years. Its symptoms may last for only a few days or weeks. Chronic bronchitis is defined as a productive cough that lasts at least three months, with recurring bouts occurring for at least two consecutive years. Symptoms include breathing difficulty, cough, mucus (sputum) production and wheezing. In: Tintinalli JE, Stapczynski J, Ma O, Yealy DM, Meckler GD, Cline DM. AskMayoExpert. Jong EC, et al. This content does not have an Arabic version. Chronic bronchitis is a progressive condition that develops in the lungs making it very difficult to breathe or perform any physical activity. Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit organization. Occupational chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A standard of care. Antibiotics aren't always the answer. 2012;19:169. © 1998-2021 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. Some dogs with chronic bronchitis develop severe irreversible changes to the airway… Use and care of home humidifiers. People who have bronchitis often cough up thickened mucus, which can be discolored. While these symptoms usually improve in about a week, you may have a nagging cough that lingers for several weeks. However, it can be as high as 74 … New York, N.Y.: The McGraw Hill Companies; 2016. http://accessmedicine.com. Chronic bronchitis prognosis Chronic bronchitis is a progressive condition, meaning it gradually worsens over time. People with chronic bronchitis tend to get lung infections more easily. 201;164:425. Stoller JK, et al. During the first few days of illness, it can be difficult to distinguish the signs and symptoms of bronchitis from those of a common cold. But coughing too much can be bad, too. Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes. Chronic cough. If you have chronic bronchitis, you're likely to have periods when your cough or other symptoms worsen. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Journal of Travel Medicine. COPD is responsible for nearly 30,000 deaths a year or around 5.3% of all UK deaths; in Europe, t… It's caused by long-term exposure to irritating gases or particulate matter, most often from cigarette smoke. Goldman's Cecil Medicine. http://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/acute-bronchitis/learn-about-acute-bronchitis.html. Production of mucus (sputum), which can be clear, white, yellowish-gray or green in color — rarely, it may be streaked with blood, Is accompanied by fever higher than 100.4 F (38 C), Is associated with wheezing or shortness of breath. Chronic bronchitis is not curable but there are a number of treatments that can help you manage your symptoms… However, if the symptoms of the disease persist for long periods of time or … It is common among smokers. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. Accessed Jan. 9, 2017. People with COPD are at increased risk of developing heart disease, lung cancer and a variety of other con… Acute bronchitis is usually caused by viruses, typically the same viruses that cause colds and flu (influenza). This content does not have an English version. However, if you have repeated bouts of bronchitis, you may have chronic bronchitis, which requires medical attention. 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