Smoker’s cough

The efficiency of mucociliary transport depends on the force of kinociUary motion and the viscosity of bronchial mucus. Both factors can be altered pathologically (e.g., in smoker s cough, bronchitis) or can be adversely affected by drugs (atropine, antihistamines). 

SMOKER S COUGH Recurring cough experienced by smokers because damaged tiny hair-like structures (cilia) in airways can not move mucus and debris up and out efficiently. 

Nicotine causes local irritation in the respiratory system, as well as decreased motion of the cilia, the tiny hairs that sweep debris and mucus upward, out of the respiratory tract. A recurrent smoker s cough results as the body tries to rid itself of accumulated mucus. Breathing is accelerated by nicotine. 

Dust particles inhaled in tobacco smoke, together with bronchial mucus, must be removed by the ciliated epithelium from the airways. However, ciliary activity is depressed by tobacco smoke and mucociliary transport is impaired. This favors bacterial infection and contributes to the chronic bronchitis associated with regular smoking (smoker s cough). Chronic injury to the bronchial mucosa could be an important causative factor in increasing the risk in smokers of death from bronchial carcinoma. 

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