Chronic Bronchitis
Definition: Chronic bronchitis is a long-term (chronic) condition that affects the lungs. It is a type of bronchitis where the airways in the lungs become inflamed and produce too much mucus (sputum), which leads to a persistent cough and makes it difficult to breathe.
Usage Instructions: You can use the term "chronic bronchitis" when talking about respiratory issues, especially in medical or health contexts. It's important to note that this condition often develops after years of smoking or exposure to irritants like pollution or dust.
Example: "After years of smoking, Sarah was diagnosed with chronic bronchitis, which caused her to cough frequently and feel short of breath."
Advanced Usage: In medical discussions, you might hear chronic bronchitis referred to as a part of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), which includes other lung conditions that block airflow and make breathing difficult.
Word Variants: - Chronic (adjective): Describes something that lasts for a long time or is constantly recurring. Example: "He has chronic pain in his back." - Bronchitis (noun): Refers to the inflammation of the bronchial tubes. It can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term).
Different Meaning: While "chronic" generally means lasting a long time or occurring frequently, "bronchitis" specifically refers to a condition affecting the bronchial tubes in the lungs.
Synonyms: - Long-term bronchial inflammation - Persistent bronchitis
Idioms/Phrasal Verbs: There aren’t specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to chronic bronchitis, but you might hear phrases like "catch your breath," which means to pause to breathe normally, especially after exertion, or "clear your throat," which means to cough slightly to remove mucus from the throat.
Summary: Chronic bronchitis is a serious lung condition that requires medical attention.