Many smokers resign themselves to their nagging "smoker's cough." What many don't realize is that what may seem like a minor annoyance is actually chronic bronchitis - a potentially life-threatening lung condition if left untreated.
Bronchitis occurs when the bronchial tubes, which carry air to the lungs, become inflamed. This inflammation, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) results in a persistent cough that brings up mucus and causes wheezing, chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, and sometimes a mild fever. In the case of chronic bronchitis, the inflammation, cough, and other symptoms persist on most days of the month for at least 3 months out of the year, for 2 years or more, says the American Lung Association.
Why is chronic bronchitis such a serious condition? As the American Lung Association explains, the constant production of mucus and persistent cough inflame and narrow the airways, and can even lead to scarring of the lung tissue. All of this sets up a perfect storm for infection to settle in, as well as serious conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and even heart failure.
Wearing a protective mask when dealing with lung irritants, such as dust and chemical vapors, is a critical step in reducing risk for lung conditions like chronic bronchitis. But above all else, quitting smoking, or never starting in the first place, is, according to NHLBI and the American Lung Association, the best defense against chronic bronchitis.
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