Cough

Question 1

Cough is

Answer 1

Cough is a forceful expulsion and protective reflex mechanism caused by irritation to the respiratory tract

Question 2

Classification of cough

Answer 2

Can be classified as productive or non productive cough and also as acute( <3 weeks) and chronic (>3week) cough.

Question 3

CAUSES

Answer 3

• Drugs ( ACEIs)
• Irritants / allergies
• COPD
• GERD
• CHF
• Respiratory infections ( viral or bacterial)

Question 4

MANAGEMENT
 DRY COUGH

Answer 4

 ANTITUSSIVES
 CENTRALLY ACTING
 OPIOIDS
- Codeine at a dose of 7.5-30mg qid and analgesic effect at 15-60mg, max dose 360mg/day. Can cause drowsiness, constipation and respiratory distress.
- Pholcodein; similar to codeine but less addictive and does not have analgesic effect.
- hydrocodone
 NON-OPIOIDS
- Noscapine: - opium alkaloids, no addiction, and no analgesic effect. Causes the release of
histamine and contraindicated in asthma and bronchitis due to bronchoconstriction effect.

• Dextromethorphan; -10-20mg qid maximum dose of 320mg. its effects and not be blocked by naloxone as opioids. Less addictive and does not release histamines as noscapine.

Question 5

Management of wet cough

Answer 5

WET COUGH
 EXPECTORANTS
- They enhance bronchial secretions production by drawing water because of the salt effect.
 DIRECT ACTING
- Guaifenesin 100-200 bd-tds
- Sodium Citrate
- Potassium citrate 300-1g tds
- Potassium iodide 0.2-0.3g tds
 INDIRECTLY ACTING
- Ammonium chloride 0.3-1g
 MUCOLYTICS
- Break disulfide bonds in the mucus causing easy removal of phlegm and relieving
congestion.
- Bromohexine
- N-Acetyl cysteine 6g qid
- Carbocystein
DECONGETANTS
- Steroids: block histamine mediated cough, reduce allergies and reduce inflammation.
- Phenylephrine
- Pseudoephedrine
- Xylometazoline
- Oxymetazoline
- ephedrine

Question 6

____________ reduces the duration of a cold/cough

Answer 6

Vitamin c