One embodiment is directed to a system for controllably managing unproductive cough in a patient having a tissue structure that has been genetically modified to have light sensitive protein, comprising: a light delivery element configured to direct radiation to at least a portion of a targeted tissue structure a light source configured to provide light to the light delivery element and a controller operatively coupled to light source wherein the controller is configured to be operated by an operator to illuminate the targeted tissue structure with radiation such that a membrane potential of cells comprising the targeted tissue structure is modulated at least in part due to exposure of the light sensitive protein to the radiation.
