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.
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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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