Coughing is an important defensive reflex. It is triggered by irritation in the airways and acts as a protective and cleaning function of the body to clear pathogens, harmful substances or foreign bodies from the airways.

Coughing occurs as a symptom in many diseases. It frequently occurs in the common cold, often later on in the course of the illness, around day 6, if the infection has spread into the lower respiratory tract or the body attempts to stop this happening. It normally starts as a dry cough which then becomes a productive cough (cough with mucus). This mucus can normally be easily coughed up. In some cases, however, the mucus may be very rubbery and difficult to cough up. If this happens, it can help to liquefy the mucus and drugs are available for this.

• Expectorants should not be used in combination with cough suppressants (antitussives) since the liquefied mucus may accumulate in the lung.
• Ensure you have enough to drink since fluid intake generally reinforces the desired effect of loosening of mucus in the bronchial tubes.
• You should also refrain from smoking to avoid overloading the airways. Cigarette smoke contains many substances that damage the mucosa.
• Inhaling vapours can be beneficial.