Bronchitis is a medical condition that affects the airway. It refers to the inflammation of the lining of the respiratory tract, which carries from and to the lungs. The symptoms of bronchitis include cough, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, mucus production, wheezing, and so on.
Bronchitis can either be acute (usually caused by viral or bacterial infection) or chronic. Infection, smoking, asthma, poor immune system, allergies, family history of lung diseases are factors that predispose an individual to develop bronchitis.
Anthracosis, asbestosis, and silicosis are all forms of pneumoconiosis. Anthracosis is caused by inhalation and exposure to coal. Asbestosis is caused by exposure to asbestos, and silicosis is caused by inhalation of dust containing silica.