The Facts
Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are together called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This is a chronic condition usually attributed to cigarette smoking, causing shortness of breath and cough.
In chronic bronchitis, the airways (or bronchi) that connect the windpipe and the lungs become inflamed and swollen. The airways become narrow and are clogged up with thick mucus, called phlegm. Chronic bronchitis may be found together with emphysema, in which destructive changes of the air sacs in the lungs cause them to become larger, reducing the surface area where oxygen exchange takes place. Both diseases make it difficult to breathe.
COPD is a very common condition, especially among people who smoke. About 12 million Americans are diagnosed with COPD. Many more may have COPD that has not been diagnosed. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. More women than men have COPD, except in the age category above 75.