Cough

What is Cough?

The cough itself is not a disease but a simple symptom that arises whenever the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract are irritated. The cough is therefore a defense mechanism that our body adopts to neutralize and remove an irritant substance present in the airways.

This symptom is so widespread as to represent the most frequent disorder for which one turns to the doctor

The stimulation of the reflexogenic zones located in the ducts that carry the air to the lungs can occur due to the presence of:

infections of viral or bacterial origin (typical consequence of colds or pneumonia, tracheitis, laryngitis, bronchitis and the like)
allergies
irritants (smoke, dust, steam, pollution)
sudden climatic variations
foreign bodies (a bread crumb gone sideways)

The cough can also arise as a secondary cause of specific diseases or derive from the use of some drugs.

Normally coughing is an involuntary mechanism stimulated by the excitation of specific receptors present along the walls of the respiratory tract. In the presence of excessive mucus or other random agents the brain is sent a signal that leads to their expulsion together with the air contained in the lungs and in the airways.

This defense mechanism combines the occlusion of the glottis with a simultaneous contraction of the expiratory muscles, considerably increasing the pressure inside the respiratory tract. As soon as the glottis is opened, there is a rapid, violent and noisy air leakage that normally brings with it everything that disturbs the breath.

However, it is necessary to specify that coughing is not always a spontaneous act; in fact, the subject can restrain himself or intentionally cause a cough like in a nervous cough.

Types of cough

See Also: Cough in the child

As we have seen cough is one of the main symptoms of diseases affecting the respiratory system. It can be divided into:

oily or wet cough
dry cough

Fat cough is accompanied by sputum which can be of different nature and which is commonly called phlegm. The external emission of mucus accumulations represents an important protection for the respiratory tract. In fact, bacterial accumulations are present in the phlegm which, if held back, could aggravate or favor infection. Retention of secretions would have a deleterious effect also because it would help to obstruct the respiratory tract, hindering normal breathing.

It is therefore advisable not to take drugs that slow down the natural process of eliminating excess mucus. Eventually, if the consistency of the sputum is very dense, it may be useful to take fluidifying or mucolytic drugs. This category of medicines is available in various forms of administration (syrups, capsules, suppositories, etc.), but it seems to give the best results if inhaled through aerosol therapy. Also the inhalation of other balsamic substances and the intake of hot drinks such as tea, milk and broth can reduce the irritation of the respiratory mucous membranes and thin the secretions.

Dry cough is not accompanied by sputum and in most cases arises as a result of external stimuli. At first symptoms it is good to avoid calming drugs, as their use may delay a diagnosis.

The continuous repetition of the coughing can cause bronchial or pulmonary lesions proving to be particularly harmful even for those suffering from hypertension or heart disease. Therefore, if the dry cough persists, it is good to have recourse to specific medicines after consulting a doctor.

As we have seen cough can be a symptom of different diseases and the diagnosis must be carried out by qualified personnel able to recognize the various shades and interpret it. The treatment of chronic cough must therefore be preceded by the identification and elimination of the cause and the predisposing factor.

A first diagnosis can be obtained thanks to the three Q rule, simply by interpreting the answers provided by the patient to three very specific questions:

How long does the cough last? It allows to make a first distinction between acute and chronic cough.
WHAT type of cough? Fat or dry?
WHEN does the cough arise, at what moment of the day, in what situation, what are the episodes that trigger it?

Particular importance in the recognition of primary pathology has the type and quantity of sputum. For example, a yellowish or greenish color, especially if accompanied by fever, underlines the presence of an infection.

If the diagnosis and the choice of the most suitable medicines is exclusively for the doctor, the subject, for his part, should observe some important rules to prevent coughing or to make it worse. Here are some tips:

search for the optimal environmental conditions in your home; for example, in winter it is useful to use water trays in contact with radiators in order to maintain humidity around 40-60%. Humidity values below 40% weaken the ability of the mucous membranes to purify the inhaled air drying up.
Never smoke inside the car. If you are traveling by train or plane, to prevent coughing, choose a non-smoking compartment.
Do not smoke indoors, such as your home. At the restaurant request the non-smoking room
If it is suspected that the cough is associated with a disease affecting the respiratory tract it is good to avoid situations of possible infection.