The present discovery pertains generally to the field of therapeutic compounds. More specifically the present discovery pertains to a particular 1-di-alkyl-phosphinoyl-alkane, 1-(Diisopropyl-phosphinoyl)-nonane, referred to herein as “DIPA-1-9”. DIPA-1-9, is able to selectively treat (e.g., suppress) sensory discomfort arising from the airways without side effects. Compared to structurally similar compounds, DIPA-1-9 did not have the problems of excessive cold, stinging, or irritancy, or of adverse taste. To deliver the DIPA-1-9 to the upper airway it is formulated as a solution of DIPA-1-9 in water, a water-based solution, or syrup, at a concentration of 2 to 10 mg/mL and a delivery volume of less than 0.5 mL per unit dose. The drops of DIPA-1-9 are administered into the nasal cavity or onto the base of the tongue, next to the pillars of fauces. The DIPA-1-9 then reaches the nerve endings at the base of the epithelia and transduces signals of coolness and cold. Cooling of the upper airways relieves discomfort and is useful for conditions such as throat irritation, cough, pharyngitis, and lower airway blockage disorders. The elicitation of cooling in the upper airways can be used to control cough, to treat dyspnea, and to enhance mucus clearance in lower airway disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (which includes bronchitis and bronchiectasis), asthma, interstitial lung diseases, cystic fibrosis, lung fibrosis, pneumonia, and other lung disorders. The efficacy of DIPA-1-9 in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is especially attractive because the four primary signs of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cough, excessive sputum production, dyspnea, and psychic distress from the lack of control of airway discomfort, are favorably ameliorated by topical application of DIPA-1-9 to the upper airways. This method of treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with a cooling agent to the upper airways has not been previously described.
