Patient was educated on pathophysiology of chronic bronchitis as follows:

1. Chronic bronchitis is defined as bronchitis that is unresolved, presents as cough that occurs with sputum production, and lasts for longer duration.
2. The cough with chronic bronchitis lasts for at least 3 months in a year and continues with repeated episodes for 2 consecutive years.
3. Primary reason for chronic bronchitis is cigarette smoking. Other irritants, such as, dust, pollen, and repeated flu infections can also bring on episodes of chronic bronchitis.
4. Chronic exposure to smoke and other irritants results in continued and repeated inflammation of the bronchial mucosa.
5. Continued inflammation of the bronchi leads to chronic swelling of the bronchial wall and gross increase in mucus secreting cells with consequent increase in the mucus production.
6. Chronic inflammation can result in permanent damage to the airways.
7. Also, respiratory mucosa has tiny finger like structures called cilia, moving the mucus towards the mouth, to be coughed up as sputum. These cilia are also damaged due to chronic inflammation, leading to accumulation of mucus in the airways and lungs, which can set the conditions favorable for chronic bacterial infections.