Tracheal stenosis is most usually induced by inflammation and scarring after intubation, insertion of a breathing tube into the trachea after surgery, or when mechanical ventilation is required (respirator). The small airways between the large branches of the trachea are particularly prone to injury during intubation. Inflammatory diseases such as tuberculosis and sarcoidosis may cause tracheal stenosis as well. The symptoms of tracheal stenosis include cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain, and stridor (the sound of air rushing through the narrowed airway). A patient with tracheal stenosis may also have fever, chills, night sweats, and weight loss. If left untreated, tracheal stenosis can lead to severe respiratory problems and even death. Treatment for tracheal stenosis depends on the cause. If the disease is due to inflammation or trauma, then medications used to treat these conditions will help too. For example, patients with tracheal stenosis caused by tuberculosis may be treated with antibiotics and steroids. Patients who suffer from tracheal stenosis due to chronic use of cigarettes may require long-term oxygen therapy or tracheal resection/split thickness skin grafts.