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Bronchitis Bronchitis is the inflammation of the bronchial tubes also known as the bronchi. The bronchi are the air passages that carry oxygen from the windpipe into the lungs. A virus, bacteria, smoking, inhalation of chemical pollutants or dust, can cause the inflammation. Cilia, the tiny hairs lining the bronchial tissue that trap and eliminate pollutants shut down once the bronchi have reached a certain point of irritation. Consequently, the air passages become clogged by …

…be detected by chest x-rays. However, screening tests have been developed recently for measuring the early changes in respiratory function that eventually lead to chronic bronchitis and other respiratory disorders. Evaluation of these tests has shown that a high incidence of disease of the smaller airways is present in young people who have smoked for one to five years. Although completely free of obvious symptoms, these individuals are highly likely candidates for future respiratory diseases.