What is the difference between chronic bronchitis and emphysema?
Both chronic bronchitis and emphysema fall under the umbrella of COPD. Chronic bronchitis is the inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, which connect the windpipe to the lungs. When the tubes are inflamed or infected, less air is able to flow to and from the lungs resulting in a mucus-inducing cough. Emphysema affects the air sacs and the smallest breathing tubes in the lungs, which lose elasticity similar to an overused rubber band. When lungs lose their elasticity, the affected areas become enlarged and it becomes difficult to get air into and out of the lungs.
