senile chronic bronchitis

Senile chronic bronchitis is a chronic non-specific inflammation of the tracheobronchial mucosa and its surrounding tissues caused by infectious or non-infectious factors. Its pathological features are hyperplasia of bronchial mucous glands and increased mucus secretion. Clinically, it manifests as cough, sputum production, or wheezing lasting for more than 3 months per year for more than 2 consecutive years. The onset of this disease is insidious, with mild early symptoms, mostly occurring in winter and relieving after spring warms up; in the later stage, symptoms worsen and persist throughout the year. The course of the disease is prolonged and recurrent, and it is often complicated by emphysema and cor pulmonale. Bronchitis is a common and frequently occurring disease in the elderly, with the incidence increasing with age; the incidence in the elderly is 1.2–2.3 times that in younger people.