Chronic bronchitis
{{Expansion depth limit exceeded|Term=Chronic bronchitis |Short definition=Chronic bronchitis - {{Expansion depth limit exceeded}} (KRAH-nik bron-KY-tis) lung disease that develops over time, in which the bronchi (large airways that lead to the lungs) become inflamed and scarred. As a result, the bronchi produce large amounts of mucus and can lead to chronic coughing and breathing difficulties. |Type=Cancer terms |Specialty=Oncology |Language=English |Source=NCI }} Chronic bronchitis - {{Expansion depth limit exceeded}} (KRAH-nik bron-KY-tis) lung disease that develops over time, in which the bronchi (large airways that lead to the lungs) become inflamed and scarred. As a result, the bronchi produce large amounts of mucus and can lead to chronic coughing and breathing difficulties. The most common cause of chronic bronchitis is cigarette smoking. It can also be caused by infection or inhalation of tobacco smoke, chemical fumes, or other forms of air pollution. Chronic bronchitis usually does not go away completely. It is a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) {{Expansion depth limit exceeded}}