MedicineNet.com
  MedicineNet home Health news and views Diseases and conditions Symptoms and signs Procedures and tests Medications Health and Living MedTerms medical dictionary  
Font Size
A
A
A


Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis, and Colds

Introduction

If you have emphysema or chronic bronchitis, you know how miserable it feels when you catch a cold. After all, breathing is difficult enough with a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Not only does catching a cold worsen your ability to breathe and be active, but the cold virus increases your chance of getting a more serious respiratory tract infection. Here's what you must know to stay well.

What is emphysema and chronic bronchitis?

Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are chronic (long-term) lung diseases that make it hard to breathe. Both diseases are chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), meaning they are conditions that cause a limitation in airflow. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis can occur separately or together and are usually the result of cigarette smoking. In addition, although it happens rarely, a genetic form of emphysema can occur early in adulthood, even if you never smoked.

In the United States, COPD is vastly under diagnosed. While only 15 to 20 percent of smokers are diagnosed with COPD, experts believe the majority of smokers develop some degree of airflow obstruction.

Emphysema comes on gradually after years of exposure to irritants such as cigarette smoke. With emphysema, the tiny air sacs in the lungs become damaged. Because the tiny sacs lose their "stretch," less air gets in and out of the lungs. This causes you to feel short of breath.

With chronic bronchitis, the airways that carry air to the lungs are inflamed and produce a lot of mucus. The mucus and inflammation cause the airways to narrow or become obstructed, making it difficult to breathe. Once the airways are irritated over a long period, the lining of the airways becomes thickened. This thickening of the airways results in an irritating cough, hampered airflow, and lung scarring. The damaged airways then become a breeding place for bacterial infections such as pneumonia.



Next: What happens with emphysema and chronic bronchitis and colds? »



Printer-Friendly Format  |  Email to a Friend


space Related health and medical articles From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com MedicineNet Doctors recommend space
space
MedicineNet Doctors Recommend
  • Flu Vaccine - Get the facts about influenza vaccine (flu shot) ingredients, side effects and effectiveness. Learn who should (children, pregnant women, elderly) and shouldn't get a flu shot. Source:MedicineNet
  • Pneumonia - Learn pneumonia symptoms, causes, treatment, signs, diagnosis and types: viral and bacterial (Pneumocystis carinii, Klebsiella, Mycoplasma, Chlamydia pneumoniae). Source:MedicineNet
  • Bronchitis - Learn about bronchitis an inflammation of the lining of the lungs. Bronchitis can be aggrivated from colds, cigarette smoking, COPD, and other lung conditions. Source:WebMD Other
  • Read 12 more Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis, and Colds related articles ...
Latest Medical News
space


Last Editorial Review: 2/1/2008





Topics Related to Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis, and Colds
Procedures & Tests
Diseases & Conditions
more »

Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis, and Colds
RSS FeedSpecialty RSS       Add to My Yahoo! What is this?

Lung Transplant Therapy Lung Transplant Therapy
Replacing diseased lungs saves lives, but transplant patients face a battle to keep their body from attacking the new lung. See more WebMD Videos »

WebMD Daily

Get breaking medical news.











Health categories:

News & Views | Diseases & Conditions | Symptoms & Signs | Procedures & Tests | Medications | Health & Living | Medical Dictionary

Popular health centers:

Allergies | Arthritis | Cancer | Diabetes | Digestion | Healthy Kids | Heart | Men's Health | Mental Health | Women's Health | More...

Publications:

ePublications (PDFs) | XML News via RSS | Audio Podcasts | Email Newsletters

MedicineNet.com:

About Us | Privacy Policy | Search Help | Site Map | WebMD® | Medscape® | eMedicine® | eMedicineHealth® | RxList®

HON Code We comply with the HONcode standard for health trust worthy information:
verify here.

©1996-2008 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Notices and Legal Disclaimer.
MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.