What is the difference between Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema?

There is one similarity between chronic bronchitis and emphysema. They are both considered to be long term conditions. They are also both caused by smoking but knowing the differences will allow you to know which one you are searching for. Shortness of breath is one of the main symptoms of emphysema but this is not one of the main symptoms of bronchitis. Someone with emphysema will also have some trouble in performing tasks as compared to someone who has chronic bronchitis. There are instances when people who have chronic bronchitis will have symptoms that come and go but those who have emphysema will always have symptoms.

Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema are known to be two conditions that people may have. When someone has emphysema, this means that the air sacs have already become damaged. Take note that air sacs are responsible for providing oxygen to the blood. Damaged air sacs can mean that there will not be enough oxygen that will be supplied to various parts of the body. When someone has chronic bronchitis, this means that the person has damaged cilia. Cilia refers to the tiny hairs that you can find in the air passageways of the lungs. Some people think that they are the same because people usually have some trouble breathing whenever they have these conditions. The damaged areas are different for both conditions.

Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema are two conditions of the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Chronic Bronchitis refers to a condition of the lung that causes the inflammation of the bronchi. This condition is usually characterized by a prolonged productive cough, and also mucous formation, especially in the respiratory tract. A chronic bronchitis comes with symptoms for at most three months in a year.

A chronic bronchitis can also cause breathing difficulty in some patients. Emphysema, on the other hand, is one type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that is caused by the destruction of the tissues aiding the works of the lungs.

Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema are caused by smoking; however, the risk factors of emphysema are allergies, hereditary factors, old, air pollution, while the risk factors of chronic bronchitis are air pollution, irritants, weak immune system. Severe dyspnea, difficulty when trying to exhale, etc. A productive cough, chest pain, fatigue, lack of air are symptoms of chronic bronchitis.

Chronic bronchitis is known to be a chronic inflammatory disease that is attached to the bronchi, which is characterized by mucus formation in the respiratory tract and prolonged cough. Emphysema, on the other hand, is a chronic progressive disease of the lung where there is a destruction of the tissues that are supporting the function of the lungs.

The major thing that causes chronic bronchitis is smoking. Risk factors include a weak immune system, polluted air, continuous attack of acute bronchitis, and irritants. Just in a similar manner, the major cause of emphysema is also smoking. Risk factors include hereditary factors, asthma or allergies, air pollution, age, male gender, and the deficiency of congenital alpha-1 antitrypsin.

The symptoms of chronic bronchitis are swelling and inflammation of the bronchi, lack of air, fatigue, chest pain, rales, and the production of yellow, green, or white sputum. The symptoms of emphysema include severe dyspnea, enlarged chest, and effort to exhale.

Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are two types of conditions that affect that respiratory system. One of the differences between the two is in regards to the symptoms that each condition gives off. Chronic bronchitis comes with a frequent cough.

This cough often comes with mucus that a person will cough up. With emphysema, the main symptom is shortness of breath. A person with this condition may find it harder to breathe and may feel like they are constantly gasping for air. Though they have differences in symptoms, both conditions can lead to another type of respiratory condition. That respiratory condition that they can lead to is COPD.

There are different respiratory diseases that are available right now, but there are some confusing ones too. For example, you may not know the difference between chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Emphysema may sometimes come up because of genetics. Take note that this is only for some cases, but this is not for all.

Chronic bronchitis is a type of condition wherein a person can usually have a frequent cough that will come with mucus. One of the main symptoms that doctors look for when they are trying to diagnose emphysema is shortness of breath. Take note that these two conditions can contribute to another condition called COPD.

Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are primary disease conditions grouped under chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In the medical field, emphysema patients may be referred to as pink puffers, and the chronic bronchitis patients may be referred to as blue bloaters.

This reference is because emphysema's patients face is colored pink, and usually does not retain carbon dioxide. Still, in chronic bronchitis, the patient's acquire cyanosis, and it does preserve carbon dioxide. In both conditions, the patient will have trouble breathing and have more chances to get a lung infection.

In emphysema, the core problem is in the air sacs, while in chronic bronchitis, the primary disturbance in the air tube. Both disease conditions are caused by smoking, and quitting the habit is mandatory if these disease conditions are to be identified.