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[00:00.69] In chronic bronchitis, the airway’s lining is inflamed and produces more mucus to trap incoming smoke or dust particles.

[00:07.59] And the little hairs lining the airways that normally help push the mucus out are often damaged, so the mucus gets stuck.

[00:14.50] During a COPD attack, rescue inhalers open the airways, just as they do for asthma.

[00:20.61] Preventative inhalers are used daily to stop asthma and COPD symptoms before they even start.

[00:25.92] They often contain both a corticosteroid, which reduces inflammation, and a long-acting bronchodilator.

[00:32.03] In fact, one class of bronchodilators for patients with COPD is related to the compounds in thorn apples.

[00:39.20] These drugs block signals from the nerves that tell the airway muscles to contract.

[00:44.51] Those same nerve signals are thought to be responsible for increasing mucus in the lungs, so these drugs may help clear the airways as well.