Med. praxi. 2020;17(1):18-22 | DOI: 10.36290/med.2020.008

Modern therapy of cough

MUDr. Stanislav Kos, CSc., FCCP

Český občanský spolek proti plicním nemocem, Praha

Cough is the mechanism of airways defence. According to its duration can divided in adults in: acute with duration of up to 3 weeks, prolonged with intermittent duration from 3 do 8 weeks, chronic - lasting over 8 weeks. According to its character cough may be divided in dry, irritating cough that could develop in hoarse, husky voice - should be treated with antitussives with central or peripheral effects; paroxysmal cough - predominantly during the night, or exercise induced, may be the sign of astma. The relief could be reached by inhaled bronchodilators or antiinflammatives; cough with sputum production is often connected with chronic bronchitis or COPD (= Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and should be treated with different types of mucolytic agents. These drugs should not be given simultaneously with antitussives and at the same time they should have antiinflammatory effects and should potentiate the effects of antibiotics (erdostein and bromhexin or ambroxol could be mentioned). Nevertheless, any pacient with chronic cough should be carefully examined by the specialist.

Keywords: cough, cough distinction according to its type and duration, principles of treatment.

Received: November 7, 2019; Revised: December 22, 2019; Accepted: January 3, 2020; Prepublished online: January 3, 2020; Published: March 19, 2020  Show citation