What is "bronchitis"?

What is "bronchitis"?

Richard Sheldon (Medical Advisor to the CA State Respiratory Care Board) gives expert video advice on: How is bronchitis usually treated?; Should I take antibiotics for bronchitis?; What is the difference between bronchitis and pneumonia? and more...

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi. We talk about appendicitis as being an inflammation of the appendix, tonsillitis of the tonsils; well, when you inflame the bronchi, you have bronchitis. Bronchitis can be generated by viruses, by bacteria, by fungi, inhaled noxious compounds, air pollution can do it--anything that will inflame and cause the bronchi to swell and show inflammatory process is bronchitis.