Tracheobronchomalacia, known as TBM, is a degenerative disease that causes the complete, or near-complete, collapse of the airway due to the breakdown of cartilage in the trachea. Often masquerading as chronic cough and/or shortness of breath, even after prescribed medications, it progressively worsens, often along with bouts of pneumonia and other respiratory infections. This leads to a significantly reduced quality of life, and even death, if left untreated.
