| Cough | |
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| Depiction of cough | |
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| Specialty | Infectious diseases |
A cough is a sudden expulsion of air through the large breathing passages which can help clear them of fluids, irritants, foreign particles and microbes. As a protective reflex, coughing can be repetitive with the cough reflex following three phases: an inhalation, a forced exhalation against a closed glottis, and a violent release of air from the lungs following opening of the glottis, usually accompanied by a distinctive sound.[1]
Frequent coughing usually indicates the presence of a disease. Many viruses and bacteria benefit, from an evolutionary perspective, by causing the host to cough, which helps to spread the disease to new hosts. Irregular coughing is usually caused by a respiratory tract infection but can also be triggered by choking, smoking, air pollution,[1] asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease, post-nasal drip, chronic bronchitis, lung tumors, heart failure and medications such as angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) and beta blockers.[2]
Treatment should target the cause; for example, smoking cessation or discontinuing ACE inhibitors. Cough suppressants such as codeine or dextromethorphan are frequently prescribed, but have been demonstrated to have little effect.[citation needed] Other treatment options may target airway inflammation or may promote mucus expectoration. As it is a natural protective reflex, suppressing the cough reflex might have damaging effects, especially if the cough is productive (producing phlegm).[3]
- ^ a b Chung KF, Pavord ID (April 2008). "Prevalence, pathogenesis, and causes of chronic cough". Lancet. 371 (9621): 1364–1374. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(08)60595-4. PMID 18424325. S2CID 7810980.
- ^ Guidelines, Therapeutic (2021). Cough. Therapeutic Guidelines Ltd.
- ^ Pavord ID, Chung KF (April 2008). "Management of chronic cough". Lancet. 371 (9621): 1375–1384. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(08)60596-6. PMID 18424326. S2CID 30806409.