What is a key symptom that differentiates chronic bronchitis from emphysema?

Chronic bronchitis is characterized primarily by the presence of a productive cough that produces copious amounts of sputum. This symptom arises from the inflammation of the bronchial tubes and is a hallmark feature of chronic bronchitis. In contrast, emphysema is more closely associated with severe shortness of breath due to the destruction of the alveoli, but does not typically present with significant sputum production.

The presence of copious sputum production indicates that the airway is inflamed and there is excessive mucus, which is a fundamental aspect of chronic bronchitis. In contrast, the nature of emphysema means that while patients may experience shortness of breath, they generally do not have the same level of mucus production as seen in chronic bronchitis.

Thus, recognizing copious sputum production is essential for differentiating chronic bronchitis from emphysema, as it directly points to the underlying pathology associated with chronic bronchitis.