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Bronchitis is the inflammation of the air passages within the lungs. These tubes bring air from the windpipe to the tiny air sacs where the transfer of oxygen takes place.
Bronchitis results in the swelling of the bronchi which makes breathing difficult and painful. This inflammation causes the body to produce mucus which can then become a problem. Bronchitis sufferers cough up quantities of this thick, yellowish mucus. The thicker the mucus becomes, the greater the chances that bacteria and virus' will grow and multiply within it. This can then lead to pneumonia. Bronchitis is characterized by a high fever, chest pains and a raspy or rattling breathing.
Treatment consists of breathing through a bronchial dilator, which opens up the air passages. Antibodies are prescribed to deal with the bacterial infection and smoking has to cease. If untreated, bronchitis can contribute to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease which is itself the 4th leading killer in the USA.
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