Abstract:
Coughing is one of the most common symptomatic reasons for patients to consult their healthcare practitioners. Their coughing may be
caused by various factors such as respiratory tract infections, asthma, inhaled irritants, postnasal drip syndrome and gastro-oesophageal
reflux disease. Coughing can be classified as either acute or chronic cough, and acute coughing is usually self-limiting. Patients can present
with either 'wet' (chesty or productive) or 'dry' (non-productive) coughs. Unfortunately, a cough is generally uncomfortable and may interfere
with daily activities, including sleep. Understanding how coughs manifest enables the health professional to provide adequate therapy.
Evidence suggests that cough mixtures' effectiveness is disputable, but many patients have reported good results; hence, the medication is
used in various combinations. This article provides an overview of the pathophysiology, causes and treatment of acute cough.
