COPD:  Chronic Bronchitis & Emphysema  

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. Although many people think first of emphysema when they hear COPD, chronic bronchitis is actually more common and equally serious -- because it can lead to emphysema and eventually cause death if it is not controlled.

Causes

Cigarette smoking is the number one cause of COPD, accounting for 82 percent of cases. Other causes include repeated exposure to lots of dust (such as in coal mines, granaries, or metal molding shops), chemical vapors, and possibly air pollution.

Types of COPD

Chronic Bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, which are part of  airway that brings oxygen to the lungs. It causes the bronchial tubes to produce too much mucus. As chronic bronchitis progresses, the tiny hairs (cilia) that sweep away irritants from the air passages may stop working or die.

Chronic bronchitis often begins as repeated cases of acute bronchitis following colds. With chronic bronchitis, however, coughing and mucus production occur more frequently and last longer after each cold. Unlike the occasional 1- to 2-week bout of acute bronchitis after a cold or flu in otherwise healthy people, those with chronic bronchitis have inflammation and coughing, with mucus, for at least 3 months each year.

Emphysema

Emphysema occurs when the tiny air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs become larger and less elastic, making it harder for oxygen to get in and for carbon dioxide to get out of the lungs. Therefore, less oxygen gets into the blood. This leads to shortness of breath, eventually making even the most basic tasks, such as eating or getting dressed, difficult and tiring .