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Chronic bronchitis

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Bronchitis - chronic

Symptoms:

• Cough that produces mucus (sputum), which may be blood streaked
• Shortness of breath aggravated by exertion or mild activity
• Frequent respiratory infections that worsen symptoms
• Wheezing
• Fatigue
• Ankle, foot, and leg swelling that affects both sides
• Headaches

Signs and tests:

To be diagnosed with chronic bronchitis, the cough and excessive mucus production must have occurred for 3 months or more in at least 2 consecutive years and not be due to any other disease or condition.

Tests to diagnose chronic bronchitis include:

• Pulmonary function tests
• Arterial blood gas
• Chest x-ray
• Pulse oximetry (oxygen saturation testing)
• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Exercise testing
• Chest CT scan

• Review Date: 8/7/2006
• Reviewed By: David A. Kaufman, M.D., Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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