Cough overview: Difference between revisions
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A '''cough | A '''cough''' is a sudden, often repetitive, [[spasm]]odic contraction of the [[thoracic cavity]], resulting in violent release of air from the [[lung]]s, and usually accompanied by a distinctive sound. | ||
Coughing is an action the body takes to get rid of substances that are irritating the air passages. A cough is usually initiated to clear a buildup of [[phlegm]] in the [[vertebrate trachea|trachea]]. Coughing can also be triggered by a [[Bolus (digestion)|bolus]] of food entering the trachea rather than the [[esophagus]] due to a failure of the [[epiglottis]]. Frequent or [[chronic (medicine)|chronic]] coughing usually indicates the presence of a [[disease]]. Provided the patient is a non-smoker and has a normal chest [[X-ray]], the cause of chronic cough in 93% of all patients is due to [[asthma]], [[heartburn]] or [[post-nasal drip]]. Other causes of chronic cough include chronic [[bronchitis]] and medications such as [[ACE inhibitor]]s. Coughing can happen voluntarily as well as involuntarily. | Coughing is an action the body takes to get rid of substances that are irritating the air passages. A cough is usually initiated to clear a buildup of [[phlegm]] in the [[vertebrate trachea|trachea]]. Coughing can also be triggered by a [[Bolus (digestion)|bolus]] of food entering the trachea rather than the [[esophagus]] due to a failure of the [[epiglottis]]. Frequent or [[chronic (medicine)|chronic]] coughing usually indicates the presence of a [[disease]]. Provided the patient is a non-smoker and has a normal chest [[X-ray]], the cause of chronic cough in 93% of all patients is due to [[asthma]], [[heartburn]] or [[post-nasal drip]]. Other causes of chronic cough include chronic [[bronchitis]] and medications such as [[ACE inhibitor]]s. Coughing can happen voluntarily as well as involuntarily. |
Revision as of 18:35, 24 August 2012
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
A cough is a sudden, often repetitive, spasmodic contraction of the thoracic cavity, resulting in violent release of air from the lungs, and usually accompanied by a distinctive sound.
Coughing is an action the body takes to get rid of substances that are irritating the air passages. A cough is usually initiated to clear a buildup of phlegm in the trachea. Coughing can also be triggered by a bolus of food entering the trachea rather than the esophagus due to a failure of the epiglottis. Frequent or chronic coughing usually indicates the presence of a disease. Provided the patient is a non-smoker and has a normal chest X-ray, the cause of chronic cough in 93% of all patients is due to asthma, heartburn or post-nasal drip. Other causes of chronic cough include chronic bronchitis and medications such as ACE inhibitors. Coughing can happen voluntarily as well as involuntarily.