Cough is
sudden, often repetitive, spasmodic
contraction of the thoracic cavity,
resulting in violent release of air from the
lungs
Coughing is an action the body takes to get
rid of substances that are irritating the
air passages
What are the causes of
cough?
Causes differ according to kind of cough:
Acute cough
Chronic cough
Infectious
(caused by an infection)
Noninfectious
The common causes of chronic dry coughing include
post-nasal drip, gastro esophageal reflux disease, asthma, post viral
cough and certain drugs such as beta blockers, ACE inhibitors and
aspirin
Infectious
causes of acute cough include viral upper respiratory infections
(the common cold), sinus infections,
pneumonia, and whooping cough.
Noninfectious causes of cough include flare-ups of the following chronic
conditions: chronic bronchitis,
emphysema, asthma, and environmental
allergies.
What are the symptoms
of cough?
Acute cough
Chronic cough
Infectious
Noninfectious
If cough
is related to environmental irritants
If patient has a chronic lung disease such as asthma, emphysema, or
chronic bronchitis, there may be a persistent cough or a cough that
worsens with certain locations or activities
If cough is caused by chronic sinus infections, chronic runny nose, or
chronic postnasal drip
If cough is associated with medications If cough associated
with GERD (gastro esophageal reflux)
Fever, chills,body aches, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, headache, sinus pressure,
runny nose, night sweats, and postnasal drip. Sputum, or phlegm
when you are exposed to certain chemicals or irritants in the environment, coughs
with wheezing, coughs that routinely worsen when you go to certain
locations or do certain activities
How to treat cough ?
Coughs can be treated with cough
medicines:
►Dry coughs are
treated with cough suppressants
(antitussives) that suppress the body's urge
to cough:e.g.Dextromethorphan
InspirationProductive coughs (coughs that
produce phlegm) are treated with
expectorants that loosen mucus from the
respiratory tract;e.g.Guiafenesin,
Sedopect&
Solvex.
