1/19/2014

Cough: Causes, Issues & Treatments

Healthline Reference Library Cough

Cough
Written by Kati Blake | Medically Reviewed by Brenda B. Spriggs, MD, MPH, FACP
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What Causes a Cough?

A cough can be caused by a number of conditions, both temporary an permanent.

Clearing the Throat

A cough is the standard way of clearing the throat. When the airways become clogged with mucus or foreign particles such as smoke or d a cough is a reflex reaction that attempts to clear the particles and ma breathing easier.

Usually, this type of coughing is relatively infrequent, but coughing wil increase with exposure to irritants such as smoke.
Viruses and Bacteria

The most common cause of a cough is a respiratory tract infection, s as a cold or flu. This is usually caused by a virus and may only last for few days or a week. Caused by the flu may take some extra time to c up.
Smoking

Smoking is the second most common cause of coughing. A cough

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1/19/2014

Cough: Causes, Issues & Treatments

caused by smoking is almost always a chronic cough, with a distinctiv sound. It is often known as smokers lung or a smokers cough.
Asthma

The most common cause of coughing in young children is asthma Typically, asthmatic coughing involves wheezing, making it easily identifiable. Mild cases of asthma may just be observed, but more severe cases will require treatment using an inhaler. It is possible for children to grow out of asthma as they get older.
Other Conditions

Other conditions that may cause a cough include; damage to the voca cords; post-nasal drip, bacterial infections such as pneumonia, whoop cough and croup; and serious conditions such as pulmonary embolis and heart failure. Another common condition that can cause chronic cough is gastro-esophageal reflux (GERD). In this condition stomach contents flow back into the esophagus. This backflow stimulates a ref in the trachea causing the person to cough. (CHEST) Some coughs a diagnosed as being psychological.
Medicines

It is possible that some medications will cause coughing, although thi generally a rare side effect. ACE inhibitors, which are commonly used treat high blood pressure and heart conditions, can cause coughing which stops when the medication is discontinued.

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Article Sources:
Chronic cough: Complications - MayoClinic.com. (n.d.). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved July 24, 2012, from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/chroniccough/DS00957/DSECTION=complications Cough - Diagnosis - NHS Choices. (n.d.). NHS Choices - Your health, your choices. Retrieved July 24, 2012, fromhttp://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cough/Pages/Diagnosis.aspx The National Lung Health Program. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved July 24, 2012, fromhttp://www.nlhep.org/Style%20Library/PageSets/PageSethttp://www.healthline.com/health/cough 2/3

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Cough: Causes, Issues & Treatments

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