Bronchitis is an inflammation of bronchi or the bronchial tubes which brings air into the lungs. This inflammation is basically a chemical reaction in the body which results in swelling, redness and pain.

 Commonly bronchitis occurs as a secondary infection following an upper respiratory infection like cold. There are several reasons which might cause bronchitis and they include bacteria, virus, breathing in some certain kinds of irritating chemicals and smoking. During bronchitis the cells lining of bronchi are irritated and the tiny hairs called cilia that generally traps and eliminates the outside things stops working.

Moreover the formation of materials associated with inflammation and irritation also increases during bronchitis which causes the passage to become clogged. Bronchitis is of two types. These include: chronic bronchitis and acute bronchitis.

Acute bronchitis is mainly caused by a viral infection and generally last for only few days. Moreover this type of bronchitis does not have harmful and long lasting side effects. Chronic bronchitis is a condition when a person has excess phlegm in the airways that leads to productive and persistent cough. This type of bronchitis generally lasts from three months to two successive years. Though chronic bronchitis is generally neglected till it reaches its advance stage but it has harmful long term effects and can even cause damage to the lungs.