1 of 12Coughing is a defensive reflex that clears the respiratory tract of excess secretions or foreign bodies. After a deep inhalation with an initial short-term closure of the larynx, a rapid exhalation occurs. When the larynx opens, the increased pressure generated in the chest and lungs rapidly ejects air, which carries away particles encountered on its way. It may happen in bronchitis.
Coughs can occur reflexively (involuntarily) or can be induced voluntarily. A reflex cough is triggered by irritation of the cough receptors located in the bronchi. Nerve impulses from these receptors are sent to the cough center in the brain, specifically in the medulla oblongata. That’s where the actions of the muscles involved in coughing – the chest muscles, diaphragm, and larynx – are coordinated. In cases of bronchitis, the cough often starts as dry but later becomes productive and wet.
In conditions with a buildup of secretions in the respiratory tract, a productive cough plays a beneficial role by helping to clear these secretions. Therefore, do not suppress it; efforts should be made to enhance cough effectiveness and increase the amount of expectorated sputum. One of the primary reasons for an ineffective cough is weakened chest and abdominal muscles, which highlights the importance of respiratory rehabilitation (physiotherapy). Such treatments aim to improve cough effectiveness and teach individuals how to cough more effectively.
