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Cough
Definition
Coughing is an important way to keep your throat and airways clear. However, excessive coughing may mean you have an underlying disease or disorder.
Some coughs are dry, while others are productive. A productive cough is one that brings up phlegm (also called sputum or mucus). Coughs can be either acute or chronic:
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Acute coughs usually begin suddenly. They are often due to a cold, flu, or sinus infection. Typically, they do not last longer than two to three weeks.
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Chronic coughs last longer than two to three weeks.
Pictures & Images
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Common Causes
Besides cold and flu, other common causes of coughs include asthma; allergies (like hay fever); lung infections such as pneumonia or acute bronchitis; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (emphysema or chronic bronchitis); sinusitis leading to postnasal drip; smoking cigarettes or exposure to secondhand smoke; pollutants; and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). A cough due to a lung infection may start out suddenly but then linger on. If a child has a barking cough, see croup.
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Jump to another section
• Definition
• Cough: Common Causes
• Cough: Home Care & Treatment
• Cough: Prevention
• Call your Health Care Provider if
• What to Expect at your Health Care Provider's Office
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Acute Bronchitis
• Allergies
• Asthma
• Chronic Bronchitis
• Common Cold
• Croup
• Emphysema
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
• Heart Failure
• Pneumonia
• Sinusitis
• The Flu
Tests & Exams
• Bronchoscopy
• Chest X-Ray
• Lung Gallium (Ga.) Scan
• Pulmonary Function Tests
• Routine Sputum Culture
Other Topics
• Breathing Sounds - Abnormal (Stridor)
• Coughing Up Blood
• Fever
• Nasal Discharge
• Nausea and Vomiting
Review Date : 8/4/2003
Reviewed By : Jacqueline A. Hart, M.D., Senior Medical Editor, A.D.A.M., Inc. Previously reviewed by Darrell N. Kotton, M.D., Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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