摘要
Cough is a defensive physiological reflex of the human body that enables vital clearance of secretionsand harmful elements from the respiratory tract; however, frequent and intense coughing may adversely impact on a patient＇s work, daily life and social activities. Cough is one of the most commonly observed symptoms in clinical practice arising from a wide range of aetiologies. A chronic cough may be overlooked by clinicians, particularly if reassured by the normal appearance on a chest radiograph. Furthermore, 70%-80% of these patients are readily mislabelled or diagnosed with ＂chronic bronchitis＂ or ＂bronchitis＂ in China, then typically treated with substantial but ineffective courses of antibiotics, or subjected to repeated investigations as a result of a diagnosis that is unclear, and may thus suffer more discomfort and financial burden from their disease.
Cough is a defensive physiological reflex of the human body that enables vital clearance of secretionsand harmful elements from the respiratory tract; however, frequent and intense coughing may adversely impact on a patient＇s work, daily life and social activities. Cough is one of the most commonly observed symptoms in clinical practice arising from a wide range of aetiologies. A chronic cough may be overlooked by clinicians, particularly if reassured by the normal appearance on a chest radiograph. Furthermore, 70%-80% of these patients are readily mislabelled or diagnosed with ＂chronic bronchitis＂ or ＂bronchitis＂ in China, then typically treated with substantial but ineffective courses of antibiotics, or subjected to repeated investigations as a result of a diagnosis that is unclear, and may thus suffer more discomfort and financial burden from their disease.
