cough

What is a cough?
A cough is a natural reflex that is your body’s way of removing irritants from your upper
(throat) and lower (lungs) airways. A cough helps your body heal and protect itself.

Signs and Symptoms of a Cough

Coughs can be either acute or chronic. Acute coughs begin suddenly and usually last for less
than three weeks, according to the Cleveland Clinic. This type of cough is the one you most
often get with a cold, flu, or acute bronchitis.

Chronic coughs last longer than eight weeks (or longer than four weeks in children). A
chronic cough can wake you up at night when you’re sleeping and lead to fatigue. It can also
occur with other signs and symptoms, including:

 A runny or stuffy nose

 A feeling of liquid running down the back of your throat (postnasal drip)
 Frequent throat clearing and sore throat
 Hoarseness
 Wheezing and shortness of breath
 Heartburn or a sour taste in your mouth
 Rarely, coughing up blood

What are the most common causes of a cough?

There are many things that can make you cough. Some of them include:

Irritants or allergens

 Smoke.
 Strong smells (like cleaners and perfumes).
 Mold.
 Dust.
 Pollen.
 Pet dander.
 Mucus.
 Certain medications, like the blood pressure medications known as ACE inhibitors.
How Are Coughs Diagnosed?

To diagnose the cause of your cough, your doctor or healthcare provider will take a medical
history, give you a physical exam, and may order some tests, such as a chest X-ray or lung
function test. They will also check your vital signs, like your temperature and the number
of breaths you take per minute. Your doctor may ask you questions to figure out what type
of cough you have and what is causing it, such as:

 If you use or previously used tobacco

 What kind of occupation you have or had
 How long you have been coughing
 How well you breathe when you are resting and when you are working hard
 If the cough is interrupting your sleep
 If anything comes up when you cough (like phlegm or blood)
 If you are taking any medications
 If you have a bad taste in your mouth
 If you have persistent bad breath
 If you have pain, especially in your face
 If you have lost weight without trying

Prognosis of Coughs
In healthy adults, acute cough is usually self-limiting and related to upper respiratory viral
infections, meaning it tends to go away on its own without treatment, and rarely needs
significant medical intervention. The prognosis may vary for an older patient or someone
whose immune system is compromised, and in such cases, an acute cough due to a flu
or coronavirus may require medical treatment and hospitalization.

The prognosis for a chronic cough depends on the underlying problem and requires
medical evaluation.

Duration of a Cough

Coughs can last for less than two weeks, or up to eight weeks or longer. Acute coughs
typically last for less than three weeks. Chronic coughs last longer than eight weeks (or
longer than four weeks in children).
Can pregnancy make you cough?
Pregnancy doesn’t usually make you cough, but your immune system does change. This
could mean that you get a cough or cold while you’re pregnant. Also, the cold or cough
might last longer.

Contact your healthcare provider if your illness lasts longer than you expect or if you have
trouble eating, sleeping or breathing.

When a Cough Is an Emergency

Because the cough reflex is natural and protective, sometimes it is the body's way of letting
us know of an impending emergency. If you have a sudden bout of coughing and have the
potential for any of the following disorders, you should seek medical attention
immediately.

 Allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)

 Asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation, or
worsening, when medications can't control the symptoms
 Inhalation of a foreign object
 Pertussis (whooping cough)
 Pneumonia

In addition to coughing, you may also experience difficulty breathing or other worrisome
symptoms such as swelling of the tongue.

If you have problems breathing, especially if you are at risk of any of these emergent
conditions, you should not delay seeking medical treatment, as these can be life-
threatening.

Additionally, if you have a type of cough that persists for more than one or two weeks, you
should consult your healthcare provider.

Research and Statistics: Who Has a Cough

Cough is the most common symptom that patients report when they visit healthcare
providers.

In the United States, cough is the most common reason why people seek medical attention
and is the second most common reason for a general medical examination, adding up to
more than 26 million office visits annually.

Chronic cough is cited as the reason for up to 38 percent of pulmonary outpatient visits.
How can cough be prevented?
You can prevent some kinds of cough by avoiding irritants that you know cause you to
cough.

You can help prevent coughs caused by infections by:

 Getting vaccinated for influenza, COVID-19 and pneumonia.

 Avoiding people who are ill.
 Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
 Wash your hands often with soap and water and/or using hand sanitizers.