Bronchitis means your airways are inflamed and narrowed. Bronchitis can be a short-term (acute) infection. If you have COPD, your bronchitis is long-term (chronic).
In chronic bronchitis, the airways in your lungs create a lot of phlegm (mucus). This means you can develop a long-term cough and breathing problems.
Chronic bronchitis can be managed, but it cannot be cured. Our information about diagnosing, managing and treating COPD applies to all types of COPD, including chronic bronchitis.
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