Environmental triggers for chronic cough
10.5415/apallergy.2019.9.e16
- Author:
Eun Jung JO
1
;
Woo Jung SONG
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea.
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Cough;
Pollutant;
Irritant;
Hypersensitivity;
Inflammation;
Epidemiology
- MeSH:
Cough;
Cross-Sectional Studies;
Environmental Pollutants;
Epidemiology;
Hypersensitivity;
Inflammation;
Inhalation;
Reflex
- From:
Asia Pacific Allergy
2019;9(2):e16-
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Cough is a physiological defense reflex for protecting the airways from aspiration and irritation. Thus, roles of environmental triggers are postulated in the pathogenesis of chronic cough. There are several lines of epidemiological evidence demonstrating the relationships between environmental irritant and pollutant exposure and chronic cough. However, positive findings from cross-sectional studies just reflect the protective nature of cough but may not properly address the true impact of environmental triggers. If harmful inhalation is repeated, cough may be seen as chronic but indeed is protective in nature. Therefore, long-term residual outcomes would be the key for understanding the effects of environmental triggers on chronic cough. The present review aims to summarize the associations between chronic cough and environmental pollutants or irritant exposure, with a focus on the long-term residual effects of (1) chronic persistent exposure and (2) acute high-intensity exposure on chronic cough, and also to examine (3) whether childhood irritant/pollutant exposure may increase the risk of chronic cough in adulthood.
