cough Flashcards
what is coughing
reflex response to airway irritation
-protective reflex which removed foreign materials + secretions from the bronchi+ bronchiole
what are the 2 types of cough
dry
productive
what is acute cough
less than 3 weeks
cause : upper respiratory tract infections
what is sub - acute coughing
3-8 weeks causes: respiratory infection ○ Persistent pneumonia ○ Acute bronchitis ○ Pertussis ○ Other post infectious cough No an obvious respiratory infection - early development of chronic cough
what is chronic cough
- Duration: more than 8 weeks
- Causes: smoking or disease related
○ COPD
○ Asthma
○ Cancer
○ TB
○ Gastro-oesophageal reflux
○ Upper airway cough syndrome caused by chronic rhinitis or chronic sinusitis - Caused by Medicine related - angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor
- Causes: smoking or disease related
what can be a non-pharmacological treatment
honey and lemon
what is the treatment options for children under 6
- Children under 6 should NOT be given OTC
- Due to - side effects, allergies, sleep problems, hallucinations
- Therefore - drink lemon and honey, cough syrup containing glycerol and honey
what are the treatment options
- Antitussive - inhibit cough reflux by:
○ Reducing sensory reception activation
○ Depressing cough centre in brainstem- Sedative antihistamines
- Mucolytics
Expectorants
antitussive for productive and non productive cough
reduce sensory reception activation
-methanol vapour - acute and short acting
topical anaesthetic
antitussive for drug cough only
Dextromethorphan
codiene
pholcodine - class B CD
what are examples of sedative antihistamines and what are their use
- Diphenhydramine
- Chlorphenamine
- First generation H1 antihistamine with sedative properties
Supress cough but also cause drowsiness - treatment for nocturnal cough
mucolytics
○ Carbocisteine
○ Mecysteine
N-acetylcysteine
expectorant
- White squill
- Ipecacuanha
- Guaifenesin
- Creosotes
Volatile oils - Reduce adhesiveness and surface tension of mucus
Promote expulsion of mucus by encouraging productive cough and bronchial secretion
cough and covid 19
- Cough and Covid19
- Encourage patient with cough to avoid lying on their back because this makes coughing ineffective
- Management:
○ Honey
○ Then treatment : codeine linctus, codeine phosphate ( first choice)
○ Morphine (second choice)
Considerations: risk of constipation, avoid cough suppressants in chronic bronchitis and bronchiectasis - cause sputum retention