This same mechanism can be implemented to expel not only external agents, but also excessive amounts of mucus, produced during the inflammatory processes of the respiratory tract. The act of coughing can therefore arise from inflammatory processes of the airways, such as colds and flu, from pathologies of the pleura, or from bronchial neoplasms.
or of the tracheo-bronchial bifurcation, where laryngeal and pharyngeal sensory receptors are allocated which, in contact with these foreign particles, are activated and transmit the signal at the bulbar level, where the cough center is located; from here, efferent fibers depart which they reach the level of the respiratory muscles, which by contracting give life to the tussive reflex.cough can be divided into two macro-groups:
- Dry cough (without sputum);
- Fat or productive cough (with sputum).
On the other hand, depending on the presence of any associated symptoms and the characteristics of the tussive stimulus, the following types of cough can be distinguished:
- Dry and barking cough: caused by "inflammation of the upper airways, larynx and trachea, usually of a viral nature; we intervene by humidifying the inflamed tract by means of fumigations with expectorant oils (for example eucalyptol) and only if prescribed by the doctor with cough sedative drugs .
- Dry cough accompanied by high fever, breathing difficulties and general malaise: it can be caused by an "inflammation of the epiglottis", acute epiglottiditis, in turn generated by a viral attack of Haemophilus.
- Catarrhal cough (fat cough) and persistent: it is a full-bodied cough accompanied by high mucus secretions, due to the most varied infections affecting the airways. Therapy in this case includes expectorants and mucolytics, in possible association with antibiotics (of course, on medical prescription).
- Whooping cough or pertussis: infectious pathology typical of childhood for which it is possible to be vaccinated.
- Dry cough with hissing and whistling: typical of the asthmatic subject is often an allergic cough, to be treated with anti-asthma drugs or even with corticosteroid drugs.
Again, depending on the possible triggering cause of the tussive stimulus, it is possible to distinguish the following types of cough:
- Allergic cough;
- Asthmatic cough;
- Reflux cough;
- Nervous cough.
The treatment of this type of cough is closely related to the treatment of the underlying cause that originates the symptom. In these cases, the use of drugs such as cough suppressants or expectorants and mucolytics is generally ineffective and, in some cases, completely contraindicated.
To learn more, read also: Calming a cough: how to do it?
