Chronic bronchitis affects the airways, while emphysema affects the air sacs.
And while that sounds distinct enough, both can cause difficulty breathing, and the two conditions usually coexist.
This irritation causes an increased amount ofheavy mucus in the lungsthat, over time, interferes with breathing.
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The body responds to this mucus by producing a cough in an attempt to flush the airways.
This is why they may experience acough every day for an extended period of time.
This differentiates the condition from acute bronchitis.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Additionally, large amounts of thick mucus make the lungs a perfect habitat for bacteria to thrive.
For this reason,bacterial lung infectionsamong people who have chronic bronchitis are common and frequent.
There are some differences, however, particularly in the late stages of the diseases.
Emphysema also causes the lungs to gradually lose their elasticity.
The lack of oxygen combined with the build-up of carbon dioxide can cause irreparable damage.
The risk of emphysema is associated with the duration of smoking and the number of cigarettes smoked each day.
Non-smokers can also develop emphysema if regularly exposed to secondhand smoke.
Statistics from the CDC show that 3.8 million Americans have been diagnosed with emphysema.
On the other hand, emphysema is a pathological term that refers to the actual damage to the alveoli.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Treatment may involve oral drugs, inhaled medications, and surgery.
Lifestyle changes are also central to treatment.
Chief among these is thecessation of smoking, either by going cold turkey or using smoking aids.
Talk to your healthcare provider about finding a care plan that works for you.
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In: UpToDate, Stoller JK (ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA.
