cough

What is cough?
• Protective reflex
• Types of cough reflex
1. Useless/non-productive-suppression is desirable
2. Useful/productive-suppression is not desirable
Types of cough
A) Acute cough =lasting<3 weeks
B) Chronic cough =lasing >8 weeks

Cough may be
i) Un productive (dry) cough OR
ii) Productive cough (sputum)

cont.
 COUGH

Forceful release of air

from lungs
Sudden, often
involuntary
(protective) reflex
and major
defensive
mechanism
Most common causes of cough
• Common cold,
• Upper/lower respiratory tract infection
• Allergic rhinitis
• Smoking
• Chronic bronchitis
• Pulmonary tuberculosis
• Asthma
• Gastroesophageal reflux
• Pneumonia
• Congestive heart failure
• Bronchiectasis
• Use of drugs (e.g., Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors)
Drugs
• Pharyngeal demulcents-lozenges, cough drops, linctuses
containing syrup, glycerine, liquorice
• Expectorants(mucokinetics)
1. Bronchial secretion enhancers-sodium/potassium citrate,
potassium iodide, guaiphenesin, ammonium chloride
2. Mucolytics- bromhexine, ambroxol, acetylcysteine,
carbocisteine
• Adjuvant antitussives- salbutamol, terbutalin
• Antitussives-
1. opioids-codeine,pholcodeine
2. Non-opioids- noscapine, dextromethorphan
3. Antihistamines -chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine,
promethazine
• Symptom of respiratory system:

no sputum---antitussives
Cough
sputum --- expectorants
 Antitussives

Pharyngeal
demulscents Mucokinetics
 Specific treatment approach to
cough
Etiology of cough
1) Upper/lower respiratory
infections
2) Smoking/chronic bronchitis
3) Pulmonary tuberculosis
4) Asthmatic cough
5) Postnasal drip (sinusitis)
Treatment
Appropriate antibiotics tract
Cessation of smoking
Antibiotics
Inhaled β2-agonists/iprat-
ropium/corticosteroid
Antibiotics, nasal decon-
gestants, antihistamines