COPD and Chronic Bronchitis

[Bren99]

I have COPD with Chronic Bronchitis.  Does that mean that I have Emphysema?

[dixiedarlin1017]

I was diagnosed with COPD , chronic bronchitis and pneumonia. The Dr. said that I didnt have emphysema YET, but it could turn into it later if I kept working at my manufacturing job. The chemicals coolants and oils  continue to irritate the disease, which lands me in the hospital.
I also have BRONCHIECTASIS  which is just as bad or worse than Emphysema. My large bronchial tubes are dialated and will not return to normal size, which causes me to lose my breath , specially with excertion. Was in the hospital for 5 days because of it. Just got out on tuesday. Will probably have to go back in this week, because the chest congestion is back with a vengence along with severe nausea chest pain and profuse sweating. i feel like death warmed over. Anyway,  i know exactly what you are feeling and im glad i found this site, so I can talk to others with the same problems as mine. Now I dont feel so alone. Altho I wish no one had these problems. I wouldnt wish it on my worst enemy. Hopefully , somehow we will all find some answers
Good luck and have a great painfree day.
Donna

[National Jewish Health]

Not necessarily.  Although people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) usually have elements of both chronic bronchitis and emphysema, one can have chronic bronchitis, without emphysema or, more commonly, chronic bronchitis with a wide range of emphysema severity from minimal to quite severe.  Chronic bronchitis is characterized by airway obstruction to air flow but there is not a good correlation between the degree of obstruction and the amount of emphysema.