Chronic bronchitis is an inflammation of the airways, called the bronchi, resulting in excess mucus production. Although infections often result from this form of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), they are not typically the cause. An infection may produce acute bronchitis, a similar condition that can last days or weeks, but chronic bronchitis is persistent, lasting months or as is often the case, indefinitely.

COPD is an acronym that stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. It is used as a generic term to cover chiefly chronic bronchitis and emphysema, since these are the two major lung diseases, which obstruct airways.

Emphysema is one of the two major forms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), which comes about when the alveoli become damaged. Those are the tiny sacs in the lung that exchange oxygen into the blood and carbon dioxide out.

Unfortunately, there are no known cures for chronic bronchitis or emphysema, the two major types of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD. However, various symptom treatment options are available that can ease discomfort and improve daily life.

Asthma is a lung disease that creates inflamed, constricted bronchi (the major airways leading to each lung). The constriction results from contraction of the smooth muscles surrounding the airways. The inflammation stimulates excess mucus production. Because of these and other symptoms, asthma often resembles chronic bronchitis, a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD. However, there are differences.