According to the American Lung Association, chronic bronchitis affects approximately 5.4 percent of the population, or 14.2 million people, in the United States. The condition has been slightly more prevalent in men than in women, but chronic bronchitis affects people of all ages. The highest incidence rate has been found in people over 50 years old.
Bronchitis
What is Chronic Bronchitis?
Bronchitis is a form of lung disease that interferes with the lungs’ ability to move enough air in and out. In chronic bronchitis, the airways have become permanently swollen, which narrows them and may cause coughing and heavy mucus. This swelling in the airways is usually a response to irritants, such as tobacco smoke. Chronic bronchitis can lead to repeated lung infections.