NOCTURNAL COUGH

Course overview

A COUGH IS AN ESSENTIAL PROTECTIVE AND DEFENSIVE REFLEX THAT THE BODY USES TO REMOVE MUCUS, NOXIOUS SUBSTANCES, AND IRRITANTS FROM THE LARYNX, TRACHEA, AND BRONCHI; AN IMPAIRED OR ABSENT COUGH REFLEX CAN BE DANGEROUS. NOCTURNAL COUGHS ARE COMMON AND CAN RESULT FROM A VARIETY OF ETIOLOGIES. THIS ACTIVITY DESCRIBES THE CAUSES OF NOCTURNAL COUGHS, REVIEWS THE WORKUP, AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN THE MANAGEMENT OF AFFECTED PATIENTS.