What Causes Chronic Bronchitis?

Bronchitis is a respiratory disease where the mucus membrane in the lungs' bronchial passages becomes inflamed. Because the irritated membrane swells and grows thicker, it narrows or turns off the tiny airways in the lungs, resulting in coughing spells which may be accompanied by phlegm and breathlessness. The disease is available in two forms: acute (lasting in one to three weeks) and chronic (lasting a minimum of three months of the year for two years in a row). People with asthma could also have asthmatic bronchitis, inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes.

Within this disorder, the air passages in the lungs are inflamed. And also the mucus-producing glands in the lung's larger air passages (bronchi) are enlarged. These enlarged glands produce too much mucus. This triggers a cough. In chronic bronchitis, this cough is present not less than three months out of the year for 2 or more consecutive years.

What Causes Chronic Bronchitis?

Frequent lung infections: Frequent lung infections may damage your lungs with time and lead to chronic bronchitis.

Cigarette smoke: Smoking causes most cases of chronic bronchitis. The greater you smoke, the more damage you do to your lungs. People who don't smoke but who live or deal with others who smoke are at higher risk.

Family history: You may be more likely to get a lung disease if someone else in your family had one.

Exposure to lung irritants: Some dusts and chemical fumes in your workplace can damage your lungs with time. Your risk also increases if you live within an area with heavy air pollution.