Pulmonologist | Pulmonary Disease Questions Chronic Bronchitis

What causes chronic bronchitis?

My doctor told me that I have chronic bronchitis, and I thought this was a disease only smokers get. I never smoked in my life. What could cause this?

3 Answers

Chronic bronchitis can be caused by chronic irritation of the bronchial tree. It can be because of secondary smoke chemical fumes , pollution and germs .
Chronic bronchitis is typically caused by years of smoking, or secondhand smoke inhalation. However, other environmental exposures can result in chronic bronchitis as well, such as chronic exposure to cleaning fluids and their fumes, gasoline/diesel fumes, as well as long term exposure to particulate matter/dust in the air.
Bronchitis is the defined as chronic bronco inflammation and mucus production for three month period or more resulting in difficulty breathing, cough with or without wheezing. It has nothing to do whether you smoke or not. It can be due to environmental factors. Along with chronic inflammation in the body primarily in the lungs.