Why People are Coughing

2011-07-07T21:01:00.000-07:00

Cough is the most common reason why people go to their primary doctor. In some cases, the cough has lasted less than 3 weeks, and is termed an “acute cough”. A cough that has lasted for between 3 and 8 weeks is termed a “sub-acute cough”. And coughing that has been going on for more than 8 weeks is termed a “chronic cough”.

While some people have been coughing for years, the cause of a cough can be determined in at least 90% of these cases. Therapies for cough have a success rate of at least 85%, and therefore treatments should be aimed at the underlying cause, rather than just medications that cover up the cough temporarily.

A cough is a sudden and often repetitively occurring reflex which helps to clear the large breathing passages from secretions, irritants, foreign particles and microbes. The cough reflex consists of 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. Coughing can happen voluntarily as well as involuntarily.
Frequent coughing usually indicates the presence of a disease. Many viruses nand bacteriabenefit evolutionarily by causing the host to cough, which helps to spread the disease to new hosts. Most of the time, coughing is caused by a respiratory tract infection but can be triggered by choking, smoking, air pollution, asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease, post-nasal drip, chronic bronchitis, lung tumors, heart failure and medications such as ACE inhibitors.

Treatment should target the cause; for example, smoking cessation or discontinuing ACE inhibitors. Some people may be worried about serious illnesses, and reassurance may suffice. Cough suppressants such as codeine or dextromethorphan are frequently prescribed, but have been demonstrated to have little effect. 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 deleterious effects, especially if the cough is productive.

Helpful Links

=============================================

Buy a Domain Name for Your Website at GoDaddy

Cheapest Hosting Plan at Hostbig

Do Business Online Sign Up with Paypal Account Free

Buy Computers, Laptops and Anything Online

Movie Listings from 1950 to Present and Latest Hollywood News

Latest Movie Preview

Visit to One of the Best Marshland in the World

Newest Marshland Discovered

Celebrate Earth Day !

=============================================

Why People are Coughing

Why People are Coughing

“Related Topics”

==========================================