2Causes of Chronic Bronchitis
Chronic bronchitis happens when the lining of the bronchial tubes is inflamed and irritated for a long period. This repeated swelling would cause damage in the airways and cause sticky mucus to accumulate. As a result, it is harder to move air through your lungs. Breathing issues could happen and become worse over time.
The initial inflammation can be caused by infections, which trigger acute bronchitis. However, the most common cause of chronic bronchitis is smoking. Indeed, up to 9 out of 10 people with this condition have a history of smoking. Tobacco products would paralyze the cilia temporarily. Thus, smoking for a long period would cause serious damages and trigger chronic bronchitis. Other risk factors include toxic gases, chemical or industrial fumes, and air pollution. [2]
