Cough is the most common symptom of respiratory diseases, but it is also one of important defense mechanisms of the human body. It is often difficult to determine when this defensive reflex ceases to fulfill its physiological role and becomes pathological. Cough is not diagnosis; it is the symptom of various diseases and their combination and is the most common symptom of diseases of the respiratory system. Often the definition of chronic cough is confused with the definition of chronic bronchitis, which is defined as a chronic productive cough lasting at least three months in two consecutive years, while other causes of cough are excluded. Chronic cough is associated with poor quality of life and can negatively affect quality of life. Diseases causing chronic cough are most commonly asthma, eosinophilic bronchitis, gastroesophageal reflux, post-nasal drip syndrome, rhinosinusitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary fibrosis, and bronchiectasis. Treatment of the underlying etiology of the cough leads to a success rate of up to 90 %. The cause of chronic cough may not be clear and therefore requires a multidisciplinary approach.
Keywords: bronchial asthma; chronic cough; eosinophilic bronchitis; gastroesophageal reflux; neuromodulation therapy; upper airways cough syndrome.