EXPLORE!

Cough Update: Future mechanisms of antitussives in chronic cough

  1310 Views

eMediNexus    27 January 2021

An important defensive reflex of the respiratory tract is cough, which is required to clear and protect the upper airways. Cough might become exaggerated and also interfere with the quality of life. Even though chronic cough can be successfully treated when it is associated with the common causes like eosinophilic bronchitis, asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease, post-nasal drip syndrome or rhinosinusitis. Progressively, cough with no related cause or idiopathic cough is recognized.

Often, the chronic cough is associated with an increased response to tussive agents for instance capsaicin, which is used as an index for the cough reflex. Few airway receptors intercede or influence the cough through activation of vagal afferent pathways that unite on brain stem respiratory networks and on supra-medullary centres. Pliable changes in intrinsic and synaptic excitability at the brain stem, at spinal or ganglionic level might be the mechanism through which the cough reflex is improved in chronic cough. Objective and subjective measurements of cough in the clinic are available, however a major unmet requirement in chronic cough is the accessibility of effective antitussives. Future guidelines in chronic cough consist of the pathophysiological mechanisms of the heightened cough reflex. The finding of effective antitussives can successfully ease the chronic cough.

Source: Chung KF. Chronic cough: future directions in chronic cough: mechanisms and antitussives. Chron Respir Dis. 2007;4(3):159-65.

To comment on this article,
create a free account.

Sign Up to instantly get access to 10000+ Articles & 1000+ Cases

Already registered?

Login Now

Most Popular Articles

News and Updates

eMediNexus provides latest updates on medical news, medical case studies from India. In-depth medical case studies and research designed for doctors and healthcare professionals.