Chronic Cough

Chronic Cough Education

This information is specifically designed for patients who experience chronic cough and excessive throat clearing. It can be helpful to understand the nature of cough when you are attempting to control the cough.

The following diagram shows a picture of the larynx which is sometimes referred to as the ‘voice box’. The vocal folds, which are part of the larynx, open when you breathe so that air can pass freely in and out of the lungs. The vocal folds close when you speak. Air passes through the vocal folds causing them to vibrate and produce voice. When you cough, or clear your throat, the vocal folds slam together. Frequent coughing and throat clearing can be very damaging to the vocal folds. When you swallow, your vocal folds also close but they do so with a gentle movement. They close to prevent food, liquid or saliva entering our airway.