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Respiratory Disease and Treatment

Cough

Functions to remove excess secretions and protect the lower airway. Cough receptors are located on the posterior pharynx and asthma bifurcation of the large bronchi.

Vagal afferents travel to the cough center in pons and medulla.

Vagal efferents extend to the larynx; spinal motor neurons go to the diaphragm, chest wall and pelvic floor.

Categories of Cough

Acute: lasting < 3 weeks

Chronic: lasting >3 weeks

Differential Diagnosis of Chronic Cough
Infants	Children asthma, cough, flu, cold, influenza
Infectious Chlamydia Pertussis Bronchiolitis Cystic fibrosis Noninfectious Asthma Passive smoke exposure Gastroesophageal reflux disease Foreign body aspiration Tracheoesophageal fistula	Infectious Pneumonia Mycoplasma Croup Sinusitis/Post-nasal drip Cystic fibrosis Noninfectious