What causes smoker's cough?

1 Answer
Jun 26, 2017

The damage to the protective cilia lining the respiratory tract.

Explanation:

The respiratory tract is lined with tiny hair-like cells called cilia that play a vital role in preventing dust, toxins, and other suspended matter (including bacteria and viruses) from entering the lungs when you breathe.

Smoking (especially if long term) damages and even destroys these cilia. This causes a build up of suspended matter in the lungs which coughing attempts to expel.

Over time this cough, which is dry to start with, can get productive as mucus builds up and phlegm gets expelled during coughing.