The Facts
Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are together called chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease, or COPD. This is a chronic condition where not enough
air enters or leaves the lungs. 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.
It's a very common condition, especially among people who smoke. It is estimated
that 9% of men and 4% of women over the age of 65 have bronchitis or emphysema.
In the United States, about 14 million people are affected with COPD.