Obstructive airway disease

Abstract

Cough is the often presenting feature of several non-life-threatening and life-threatening conditions, including obstructive airway disease. It is a vital reflex of the respiratory tract to clear the upper airways. Suppression of this reflex may lead to retention of airway secretions and respiratory infections [1]. A thorough medical history is important to denote whether a cough is acute (<3 weeks), subacute (3-8 weeks), or chronic (>8 weeks). This chapter will focus only on chronic cough.