Cough

We get a cough frequently, and flu or cold viruses are the leading cause. A cough is generally not an indication of anything serious. In numerous cases, cough helps in protecting and preventing your lungs from dangerous infections. It is an automatic action known as reflex action; it clears the airway and throat. 

It takes 14 to 21 days for a cough to go away. However, you should consult a doctor if it lasts more than 21 days.

As mentioned above, the cough usually goes away within 21 days without the consultation of a doctor. You can also go to the pharmacist, who will advise you with over the counter medicines for your cough.

However, visit a general physician if:

• You are losing weight

• You have a cough for more than three weeks

• You have a weak immune system

• You have blood in mucus (get appointment urgently)

• Patient with asthma and if they think their condition is getting worst

• a severe cough

• Chest pain

• Unexplained swelling in the neck

• You notice your cough is not getting better

• Other symptoms as trouble in catching breath or wheezing

Usually, a cough is not a sign or indication of anything severe or dangerous, but it can be a symptom for other underlying conditions. This may include:

Respiratory Tract Infections (RTIs)

This is considered as the most common cause of coughing. It can be an upper respiratory tract infection, which includes flu and cold. A virus usually causes it, so antibiotics have no impact over this. Therefore, it is assumed that it will go away on its own in a couple of days.

There is another type of respiratory tract infection, which is known as the lower respiratory tract. This RTI includes bronchitis. Bronchitis is an infection of bronchi, which is the main airway of lungs. It also results in grey or yellow phlegm, wheezing and sore throat. If this infection is severe, it is supposed to be treated with antibiotics.

Asthma

A permanent cough, or coughing in cold air, while exercising or at night, are symptoms of asthma. You may also experience breathlessness and wheezing.

Allergies

Allergies such as hay fever results in cough. They are accompanied by other symptoms as well when you encounter what you are allergic to, such as irritation in eyes and a runny nose.

Postnasal Drip

Mucus can drops down to throat from the back of nose and causes a cough. The condition of sinusitis generally causes this. In most cases of sinusitis, they settle in a couple of weeks on their own.

Irritants

If things like chemical, dust, and smoke get into the throat, it can cause a cough and irritate airway.

Whooping Cough

This is caused by bacterial infection in airways and lungs. It lasts for 3 months and the period can also extend. At the initial stage, it appears with the same symptoms as flu and collod.

Tuberculosis (TB)

The patients with TB have a persistent cough andd can bring up phlegm, which may also have spots of blood in it.

Acid Reflux or GORD

If the fumes of acid or acid reaches to your throat from stomach due to acid reflux or GORD, it will make you start coughing.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Things such as chronic bronchitis, smoking and emphysema damages the lungs, which is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It causes breathlessness and cough.

Medication side effect

When you start taking any new medicine, like an ace inhibitor, this makes you cough as its side effect.

This is considered the most common cause of coughing. It can be an upper respiratory tract infection, which includes flu and cold. A virus usually causes it, so antibiotics have no impact on this. Therefore, it is assumed that it will go away on its own in a couple of days.
There is another type of respiratory tract infection, which is known as the lower respiratory tract. This RTI includes bronchitis. Bronchitis is an infection of the bronchi, which is the main airway of the lungs. It also results in grey or yellow phlegm, wheezing and sore throat. If this infection is severe, it is supposed to be treated with antibiotics.

A permanent cough, or coughing in cold air, while exercising or at night, are asthma symptoms. You may also experience breathlessness and wheezing.

Allergies such as hay fever results in a cough. They are accompanied by other symptoms when you encounter what you are allergic to, such as irritation in the eyes and a runny nose.

Mucus can drop down to the throat from the back of the nose and causes a cough. Condition of sinusitis generally causes this. In most cases of sinusitis, they settle in a couple of weeks on their own.

If things like chemical, dust, and smoke get into the throat, it can cause a cough and irritate the airway.

This is caused by a bacterial infection in the airways and lungs. It lasts for 3 months, and the period can also extend. At the initial stage, it appears with the same symptoms as flu and cold.

The patients with TB have a persistent cough and can bring up phlegm, which may also have blood spots in it.

If the fumes of acid or acid reach your throat from the stomach due to acid reflux or GORD, it will make you start coughing.

Things such as chronic bronchitis, smoking, and emphysema damage the lungs, a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It causes breathlessness and cough.

When something gets stuck in the throat, it also causes coughing.

A persistent cough is among the symptoms of lung cancer. If you have an acute cough and some other symptoms, you should consult a doctor who can help.

This causes chronic cough, it is inherited by the family, usually diagnosed in childhood or at birth.
This is not a complete list of all the potential causes. Consult a GP if you have doubt about your cough.