Chapter 1: Clinical Overview
Coughing is one of the body’s protective reflexes.
Coughing can help remove substances that are irritating the airway, such as dust or mucous, by the forced expiration of air through the mouth.
Coughs can have a range of causes and it is important to identify the cause to be able to advise on the best course of treatment.
Coughs are often described as dry or chesty.
A dry cough has no associated mucous or phlegm.
A chesty, wet or productive cough does have a build up of mucous and may create a feeling of congestion and tightness in the chest.
