Chronic bronchitis is a disease characterized by cough and sputum for at least 3 consecutive months in a year for more than two successive years.
Causes
Smoking: Smoking causes bronco constriction, sluggish ciliary movement, increases airway resistance, hypertrophy of the mucous, glands, increased number of goblet cells and hyper secretion of mucous. Though smoking is said to be the most important cause, yet only 12 to 15 percent of the smokers develop COPD.
Atmospheric pollution: Industrial and domestic smoke as well as sulfur-oxidide are the main causes of air pollution which are responsible for chronic bronchial irritation and increased resistance to the airflow.
Infection: The role of infection is uncertain, but it appears that once it develops chronic irritation is maintained and progresses to emphysema. The main organisms are hemophilus influenza and streptococcus pneumonia. Mycoplasma pneumonia may also be involved.
Occupation: Coal miners and industrial workers are often exposed to dust and fumes which may irritate the bronchial tree.
Familial and genetic abnormalities associated with alpha anti-protease deficiency may also be present.
Types
Simple chronic bronchitis: Here sputum is mucoid.
Chronic recurrent mucopurulent bronchitis: There is muccopurulent sputum present in the absence of localized suppurlative disease.
Chronic Obstructive Bronchitis: Air way obstruction is dominant
Chronic asthmatic bronchitis: There is a long continuing cough and sputum with late onset of wheeze.
SYMPTOMS
Cough with Expectoration: It starts as attacks of "winter cough" and "smoker's cough", gradually increasing severity and duration. The expectoration is mucoid or mucopurulent depending on the presence of infection.
Shortness of breath due to air way obstruction, broncho-spasm and in long standing cases due to development of emphysema.
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