What are chronic bronchitis and emphysema? These lung diseases make breathing harder. They're also called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. Chronic bronchitis is a swelling of the tubes that take air to your lungs. It's usually caused by smoking, but breathing irritating secondhand smoke, dust, or fumes from stoves, heaters, or chemicals can also cause it. As the tubes swell and produce mucus, they get narrower, making it hard to breathe. Symptoms of chronic bronchitis include repeated coughing that brings up mucus, wheezing, and shortness of breath. You may not be able to catch your breath when exercising.
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