Chronic Bronchitis involves an inflammation of the bronchi (the large airway passages, or bronchioles, connecting each lung to the trachea), and excessive production of sputum (mucus). The inflammation makes it very difficult to get rid of sputum, and the airways become progressively blocked. Since the diameter of the air passage way is smaller than it should be, less air reaches the lungs and you tend to breath heavier in order to get as much air as possible into you lungs (breathlessness). In addition to this, due to the overproduction of mucus, you tend to cough (this is the way your body respond in order to get rid of the mucus out of the passage way). Heavy coughing may damage your alveoli (air sacs) which may lead to another smoking related disease, emphysema.
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