COUGH AND SMOKING

Abstract

Cough is an effective defence mechanism. The prevalence of
cough in Europe and USA is 9-33 %. Cough is the most common complain leading patients to consult with physician. Several billion dollars are spent for cough cure products of that for the most part are at best only partially effective. Cough is relevant medical and economical problem. Smoking is one of the most important and avoidable risk factor of respiratory disease. Smoking decreases cough reflex sensitivity in healthy subjects. The decrease of cough reflex sensitivity induced by cigarette smoking is reversible in healthy subjects after stopping smoking. Cough reflex sensitivity in COPD ex-smoker does not differ from COPD smokers.