When is cough helpful or not helpful?

When is cough helpful?

It is important for the patient/client to learn how to control their cough.

Use cough sparingly to help clear sputum, with rests in between, by practising the Active Cycle of Breathing Techniques or Autogenic Drainage, taught by a physiotherapist.
This will loosen the sputum and move it so that sputum can be cleared with 1 or 2 coughs, not 20.

If cough causes bronchoconstriction, distress or coughing fits.
Sometimes coughing becomes a habit. There is little or no sputum to clear but the cough will not stop.
When a cough persists for weeks after the infection has cleared.
When the upper airways are dry and irritable in people who breathe through their mouth rather than their nose.
When drug deposits in upper airway, it can cause irritation, thrush or hoarse voice. This is often due to poor inhaler technique, especially when using a steroid inhaler.
Constant coughing makes the upper airways sore, red and swollen causing more irritation, airway obstruction, wheeze and more coughing.