Bronchitis Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi which causes the wall of the bronchi to swell. As well, too much mucus is produced in the lungs. Many people develop acute bronchitis with fever, coughing and spitting when they have a very bad cold. In chronic bronchitis, this coughing and spitting goes on for months. It comes back each year and lasts a little longer each time.
Cigarette smoking is the major cause of chronic bronchitis.
Non-smokers rarely get the disease. As bronchitis progresses, the person finds it hard to catch his or her breath after normal activities. This is because airflow in the air passages is blocked by the swollen bronchial wall, and extra mucous adds to the problem. Unfortunately, chest infections seem to happen more often in people with chronic bronchitis. Smoking makes it difficult for the lungs to fight infections and bacteria often grows in the extra mucous.