Smokers Cough

It may be quite lame to ask what causes Smokers cough because the name itself suggests that it is a cough caused by smoking. But is it, really? This kind of cough, although particularly seen on smokers, is not only present on smokers.

So what are the causes of smokers cough?

Any kind of irritant that is prevalent in the person’s respiratory system can trigger cough. The only difference with the smokers cough is that it develops because of too much phlegm buildup in his trachea.

Trachea is a part of the lungs. It is actually the wall of the lungs and it is lined with cilia. The nose also has cilia, the small hair inside the nose that traps dirt and dust when we breathe. The cilia on the trachea are just similar to hair but not actually hair. The hair-like lining is protruding from the trachea and they move just like the hair—in wavelike fashion.

The cilia’s movement is really helpful for removing phlegm build-up on the lungs. You can easily remove the phlegm in the same direction that the cilia are moving. But the process of removing phlegm is different in smokers cough.

What is the difference for smokers cough?

Cigarette smoke and similar irritants paralyze or disable cilia. Therefore, the phlegm can never be removed by the cilia anymore. The only way that the phlegm can be expelled out is through coughing.

Continues exposure to cigarette smoke and similar irritants will aggravate this cough, making it even harder to expel phlegm. Other factors may also contribute to worsening this condition like change in weather and persistent coughing.

In some cases, this cough will go away by itself along with proper diet and prevented exposure to the irritant. But if the smoker’s cough is suffered for weeks, it will be best to consult a doctor immediately. He can prescribe the best medicine and procedures to get cure from smokers cough.