Chronic bronchitis health maintenance: Which measure reduces progression?

• A. Quit smoking
• B. High-protein diet
• C. Regular sun exposure
• D. Immunoglobulin therapy

Answer: (A)

Quitting smoking is the measure that slows the progression of chronic bronchitis and COPD. Ongoing cigarette smoke keeps driving airway inflammation, mucus hypersecretion, ciliary dysfunction, and loss of lung function, leading to more frequent exacerbations and a faster decline in FEV1. Stopping smoking reduces these harmful processes, lowers the risk of exacerbations, and can modestly improve symptoms and long-term outcomes, effectively altering the disease course.

The other options don’t change disease progression. A high-protein diet supports overall health but doesn’t modify the inflammatory and remodeling processes of COPD. Regular sun exposure has no impact on the condition. Immunoglobulin therapy is used for immune deficiencies, not COPD progression.