Learning Chronic Bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis is a long-term disease of the lungs. It is one disease in a group of lung diseases called COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The damage often gets worse over time and cannot be cured.

Signs of Bronchitis

• A frequent cough

• Feeling tired

• Chest pain with coughing or deep breathing

• Noisy breathing

• Shortness of breath

• Body aches

• Fever or chills

• Sore throat

• Runny or stuffy nose Causes of Bronchitis

• Bacterial or viral infections

• Smoking

• Air pollution

• Allergy to something in the air such as pollen

• Lung disease such as asthma or emphysema

Your Care Your care may include medicines and breathing exercises to help you breathe easier. You may need oxygen if you have chronic bronchitis.

Your care may also include:

• Avoiding colds and the flu.

• Drinking a lot of liquids to keep mucus thin.