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Over time, tobacco smoke can cause permanent damage to the bronchi, causing them to become inflamed.

Smoking is the most common cause of chronic bronchitis. Your body tries to shift this extra mucus through coughing. Most cases of acute bronchitis develop when an infection causes the bronchi to become irritated and inflamed, which causes them to produce more mucus than usual. The walls of the bronchi produce mucus to trap dust and other particles that could otherwise cause irritation. They lead to smaller and smaller airways inside your lungs, known as bronchioles. The bronchi are the main airways in your lungs, which branch off on either side of your windpipe (trachea). It is also important to avoid smoking and smoky environments, as this can make your symptoms worse. There is no cure for chronic bronchitis, but there are several medications to help relieve symptoms. If symptoms last for at least three months, it is known as "chronic bronchitis". In some cases, the symptoms of bronchitis can last much longer. While you are waiting for it to pass, you should drink lots of fluid and get plenty of rest. This type of bronchitis is known as "acute bronchitis". In most cases, bronchitis will clear up by itself within a few weeks without the need for treatment. Decreased lung capacity can indicate an underlying health problem. You will be asked to take a deep breath and blow into a device called a spirometer, which measures the volume of air in your lungs. If your GP thinks you might have an undiagnosed underlying condition, they may also suggest a pulmonary function test. If your GP thinks you may have pneumonia, you will probably need a chest X-ray, and a sample of mucus may be taken for testing. Your GP may need to rule out other lung infections, such as pneumonia, which has symptoms similar to those of bronchitis.

you have an underlying heart or lung condition, such as asthma or heart failure.

you have a constant fever (a temperature of 38☌ – 100.4☏ – or above) for more than three days.

your cough is severe or lasts longer than three weeks.

You only need to see your GP if your symptoms are severe or unusual – for example, if:

Most cases of bronchitis can be treated easily at home with rest, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and plenty of fluids. Read more about the symptoms of bronchitis. Bronchitis may also cause a sore throat and wheezing. The main symptom is a cough, which may bring up yellow-grey mucus (phlegm). Bronchitis is an infection of the main airways of the lungs (bronchi), causing them to become irritated and inflamed.