Cough and Allergic Diseases

Abstract

Cough is an explosive expiratory maneuver that is reflexively or deliberately intended to clear the airways. It is one of the most common symptoms prompting physician visits. The distinction between acute and chronic cough is particularly helpful although it is important to note that many disorders that cause chronic cough begin acutely and patients may appear before the lapse of 4 weeks. Other potential causes include cough hypersensitivity syndrome, use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, environmental triggers, smoking status, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and obstructive sleep apnea. Also, chronic cough can be caused by many etiologies account for most cases, including upper airway cough syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease, asthma, and that related diseases such as cough variant asthma, non-asthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis, atopic cough, which are characterized by eosinophilic inflammation. This chapter exercises practical problems based on the pathophysiology that causes the major diseases that cause cough.