Cough and its management [antikvár]

Cough belongs to the leading symptoms of respiratory diseases and constitutes the main sources of discomfort in these condition. It originally represents a highly important physiological mechanism for the prevention of secretory retention in the bronchial lumen and for the expulsion of foreign material from the air passage. Though, in a clinical sense, it is merely a symptom rather than a disease, its adequate management is none the less of crucial importance owing to the distress it may cause.Cough may be productive or unproductive, depending on the nature and stage of the primary disease. In the productive, i.e. "moist" phase of acute or chronic inflammatory processes the function of cough is to keep the airways patent by clearing them from excessive secretion and from other inflammatory products.Cough may be of intrapulmonary or of extrapulmonary origin, as for instance in diseases of heart or pericardium. Cough is a typical symptom of cardiac failure but it may also accompany paroxysmal tachycardia or premature systoles.Cough, considered apart from the primary process, may be of the following types :J. Dry, entirely unproductive, irritative cough.2.Exhausting attacks of hacking cough, unproductive or with scanty expectoration.3.Loose cough with abundant expectoration.