Common Causes of Cough
Some of the frequently seen reasons for Cough include–
- Smoking (smoke destroys the cells in the lining of the breathing tubes so that mucus cannot be expelled normally. This leads to chronic cough.)
- Common cold, influenza, and other viral infections (with yellow or white mucus) are the most common causes.
- Drugs– (such as ACE inhibitors) cause persistent, dry, nonproductive coughs.
- Stress– If the cough disappears during sleep, then stress may be the cause.
- Allergies, Asthma
- Aspiration (foreign object aspiration or ingestion)
- Bacterial infection (bronchiectasis, bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis, or tracheitis). This is usually accompanied by rusty or green mucus.
- Viral infection (bronchiolitis, croup, pneumonia, upper respiratory infection)
- Congestive heart failure
- Environmental pollution
- Gastroesophageal reflux
- Postnasal drip
- Lung cancer
- Emphysema
When to Consult a Doctor?
- There is a cough producing blood in any form.
- There is shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
- Coughing is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever.
- The cough is producing thick, foul-smelling, rusty, or greenish mucus.
- There is a cough lasting for more than 10 days.
