Cough

Coughing is the action by which excess mucus is driven out.



It is a vital body defense mechanism, which ejects everything from germs to foreign bodies from the lungs and windpipe. When a person is unable to cough, as for instance, following surgery or a chest injury, pneumonia may develop and cause a serious threat.
The air passages of the lungs are lined with cells secreting mucus.



They normally trap particles of dust. When the membranes the lining of air passages is irritated. Coughing helps eliminate this excess mucus.



In the process a dry hacking sound is produced. It is a very common condition affecting persons of all ages.

Symptoms of Cough:

A person who is going to cough first draws a deep breath in. he then closes his glottis and contracts his muscles. This builds up pressure in the chest. Then, he suddenly opens his glotis so that there is an explosive discharge of air which sweeps through the air passages and carries with it the excess secretions or, in some cases, foreign matter which has irritated the larynx, trachea or bronchi.

Causes of Cough:

Cough may be caused by inflammation of the larynx or the pharynx. It may also result from digestive disturbance. A cough can develop in the chest due to weather condition or seasonal changes. The real cause of this disorder, however, is clogging of the bronchial tube with waster matter. This has Been brought about by wrong feeding habits.



The reason for higher incidence of cough during winter than in other seasons is that an average person usually eats more of the catarrh forming foods such as white bread, meat, sugar, porridge, puddings and pies in the colder months of the year. Over clothing with heavy-under-garments during this period also prevents proper aeration of the skin.