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Is Chronic Bronchitis Related To COPD?

Posted on Wed, 5 Nov 2014

Question: Is chronic bronchitis always copd?

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
chronic bronchitis is a part of COPD

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
COPD is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
It has two parts
1. Chronic bronchitis.
2. Emphysema.
Some patients behave like chronic bronchitis and some like emphysema.
But all are considered to have COPD.
So to avoid the confusion recent guidelines suggest to use single term COPD.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)

I'm sorry. You want more information than I care to give.... I have never smoked. In 1996, scuba diving accident - regulator suddenly jerked out of mouth when caught in kelp - inhaled water into my lungs. Couple years ago chest xray revealed chronic broncitis. Scarred lungs, small airways, 63% lung capacity according to a pulmonary test.

Just wanted a yes or no answer... Is chronic bronchitis ALWAYS copd?

If you need more information before you provide an answer, then I want a refund, please.

Lee Sandeman

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
yes, chronic bronchitis is always COPD.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,

Smoking is not always necessary for diagnosis of Chronic Bronchitis. Any lung insult can cause this. Even old age can also cause chronic bronchitis. Further Chronic bronchitis is diagnosed based on PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) and chest x ray. And in your case both are suggestive of chronic bronchitis.

So I again say, chronic bronchitis is always COPD irrespective of smoking history.

Hope I have cleared your query. I will be happy to help you further.

Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad