BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuCoughCoughing is an important way to keep your throat and airways clear. But too much coughing may mean you have a disease or disorder.No audio descriptionWith audio descriptionRelated video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersRelated video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersSome coughs are dry. Others are productive. A productive cough is one that brings up mucus. Mucus is also called phlegm or sputum.Coughs can be either acute or chronic:Acute coughs usually begin rapidly and are often due to a cold, flu, or sinus infection. They usually go away after 3 weeks. ColdThe common cold most often causes a runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing. You may also have a sore throat, cough, headache, or other symptoms....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article FluThe flu (influenza) is a viral respiratory illness that causes fever, chills, runny nose, body aches, and cough. It spreads easily from person to pe...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sinus infectionSinusitis is present when the tissue lining the sinuses become swollen or inflamed. It occurs as the result of an inflammatory reaction or an infect...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Subacute coughs last 3 to 8 weeks and often much sooner than that. Chronic coughs last longer than 8 weeks. Causes Common causes of coughing are:Allergies that involve the nose or sinuses AllergiesAn allergy is an immune response or reaction to substances that are usually not harmful.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Asthma and COPD (emphysema or chronic bronchitis) AsthmaAsthma is a chronic disease that causes the airways of the lungs to swell and become narrow. It leads to breathing difficulty such as wheezing, shor...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article COPDChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common lung disease. Having COPD makes it hard to breathe. There are two main forms of COPD:Chroni...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article The common cold, flu, and other viral infections Lung infections such as pneumonia or acute bronchitis PneumoniaPneumonia is inflamed or swollen lung tissue due to infection with a germ. This article covers community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). This type of pneu...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Acute bronchitisAcute bronchitis is swelling and inflamed tissue in the bronchi, the main passages that carry air to the lungs. This swelling narrows the airways, w...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sinusitis with postnasal drip SinusitisSinusitis is present when the tissue lining the sinuses become swollen or inflamed. It occurs as the result of an inflammatory reaction or an infect...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)Gastroesophageal reflux diseaseGastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which the stomach contents leak backward from the stomach into the esophagus (food pipe). F...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Other causes include:ACE inhibitors or less often ARB medicines used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure, or kidney diseases ACE inhibitorsAngiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are medicines. They treat heart, blood vessel, and kidney problems.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article High blood pressureBlood pressure is a measurement of the force exerted against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood to your body. Hypertension is the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Kidney diseasesChronic kidney disease is the slow loss of kidney function over time. The main job of the kidneys is to remove wastes and excess water from the body...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Cigarette smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke (or smoking other substances like marijuana) Lung cancer Lung cancerLung cancer is cancer that starts in the lungs. The lungs are located in the chest. When you breathe, air goes through your nose, down your windpipe...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lung disease such as bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, or interstitial lung disease BronchiectasisBronchiectasis is a disease in which the large airways in the lungs are damaged. This causes the airways to become permanently wider. Bronchiectasis...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Cystic fibrosisCystic fibrosis is a disease that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs, digestive tract, and other areas of the body. It is one of th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Interstitial lung diseaseInterstitial lung disease (ILD) is a group of lung disorders in which the lung tissues become inflamed and then damaged.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sometimes no specific cause is found Home Care If you have asthma or another chronic lung disease, make sure you are taking medicines prescribed by your health care provider.Here are some tips to help ease your cough:If you have a dry, tickling cough, try cough drops or hard candy. Never give these to a child under age 3, because they can cause choking. Use a vaporizer or take a steamy shower to increase moisture in the air to help soothe a dry throat. If you use a humidifier, make sure it is properly cleaned and maintained. Drink plenty of fluids. Liquids help thin the mucus in your throat making it easier to cough it up. Do not smoke, and stay away from secondhand smoke.Medicines you can buy on your own include:Guaifenesin helps break up mucus. Follow package instructions on how much to take. Do not take more than the recommended amount. Drink lots of fluids if you take this medicine. Decongestants help clear a runny nose and relieve postnasal drip. Check with your provider before taking decongestants if you have high blood pressure. Talk to your child's provider before you give children ages 6 years or younger an over-the-counter cough medicine, even if it is labeled for children. These medicines likely do not work for children, and can have serious side effects.If you have seasonal allergies, such as hay fever:Stay indoors during days or times of the day (usually the morning) when airborne allergens are high. Keep windows closed and use an air conditioner. Do not use fans that draw in air from outdoors. Shower and change your clothes after being outside.If you have allergies year-round, cover your pillows and mattress with dust mite covers, use an air purifier, and avoid pets with fur and other triggers.Treat the underlying cause (per above) as directed by your provider. When to Contact a Medical Professional Call 911 or the local emergency number if you have:Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Hives or a swollen face or throat with difficulty swallowingHivesHives are raised, usually itchy, red bumps (welts) on the surface of the skin. They can be an allergic reaction to food or medicine. They can also ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Contact your provider right away if you have a cough and any of the following:Heart disease, swelling in your legs, or a cough that gets worse when you lie down (may be signs of heart failure) Heart failureHeart failure is a condition in which the heart is no longer able to pump oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body efficiently. This causes symptom...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Have had contact with someone who has tuberculosis Unintentional weight loss or night sweats (could be tuberculosis) An infant younger than 3 months old who has a cough A cough that lasts longer than 10 to 14 days A cough that produces blood Fever (may be a sign of a bacterial infection that requires antibiotics) FeverFever is the temporary increase in the body's temperature in response to a disease or illness. A child has a fever when the temperature is at or abov...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A high-pitched sound (called stridor) when breathing in StridorStridor is an abnormal, high-pitched, musical breathing sound. It is caused by a blockage in the throat or voice box (larynx). It is most often hea...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Thick, foul-smelling, yellowish-green phlegm (could be a bacterial infection) A violent cough that begins rapidly What to Expect at Your Office Visit Your provider will perform a physical exam. You will be asked about your cough. Questions may include:When the cough began What it sounds like If there is a pattern to it What makes it better or worse If you have other symptoms, such as a feverYour provider will examine your ears, nose, throat, and chest.Tests that may be done include:Chest x-ray or CT scan Chest x-rayA chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article CT scanA chest CT (computed tomography) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the chest and upper abdomen....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lung function tests Lung function testsPulmonary function tests are a group of tests that measure breathing and how well the lungs are functioning.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Blood tests Tests to check the heart, such as an echocardiogram EchocardiogramAn echocardiogram is a test that uses sound waves to create pictures of the heart. The picture and information it produces is more detailed than a s...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Gastroesophageal reflux evaluation tests (for example barium swallow) Swabs of the nose or throat to check for a virus infection CT scan of the sinusesCT scan of the sinusesA computed tomography (CT) scan of the sinus is an imaging test that uses x-rays to make detailed pictures of the air-filled spaces inside the face (...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment depends on the cause of the cough.Open ReferencesReferencesChung KF, Mazzone SB. Cough. In: Broaddus VC, King TE, Ernst JD, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 37.Kraft M. Approach to the patient with respiratory disease. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 71.AllVideoImagesTogLungs - illustration The major features of the lungs include the bronchi, the bronchioles and the alveoli. The alveoli are the microscopic blood vessel-lined sacks in which oxygen and carbon dioxide gas are exchanged.LungsillustrationLungs - illustration The major features of the lungs include the bronchi, the bronchioles and the alveoli. The alveoli are the microscopic blood vessel-lined sacks in which oxygen and carbon dioxide gas are exchanged.LungsillustrationRelated Information Common cold(Condition)Flu(Condition)H1N1 influenza (Swine flu)(Condition)Colds and the flu - what to ask your doctor - adult(Doctor Questions)Colds and the flu - what to ask your doctor - child(Doctor Questions)When your baby or infant has a fever(Self-Care)Colds and the flu - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 4/1/2025 Reviewed By: Frank D. Brodkey, MD, FCCM, Associate Professor, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
CoughCoughing is an important way to keep your throat and airways clear. But too much coughing may mean you have a disease or disorder.No audio descriptionWith audio descriptionRelated video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersRelated video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersSome coughs are dry. Others are productive. A productive cough is one that brings up mucus. Mucus is also called phlegm or sputum.Coughs can be either acute or chronic:Acute coughs usually begin rapidly and are often due to a cold, flu, or sinus infection. They usually go away after 3 weeks. ColdThe common cold most often causes a runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing. You may also have a sore throat, cough, headache, or other symptoms....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article FluThe flu (influenza) is a viral respiratory illness that causes fever, chills, runny nose, body aches, and cough. It spreads easily from person to pe...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sinus infectionSinusitis is present when the tissue lining the sinuses become swollen or inflamed. It occurs as the result of an inflammatory reaction or an infect...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Subacute coughs last 3 to 8 weeks and often much sooner than that. Chronic coughs last longer than 8 weeks. Causes Common causes of coughing are:Allergies that involve the nose or sinuses AllergiesAn allergy is an immune response or reaction to substances that are usually not harmful.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Asthma and COPD (emphysema or chronic bronchitis) AsthmaAsthma is a chronic disease that causes the airways of the lungs to swell and become narrow. It leads to breathing difficulty such as wheezing, shor...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article COPDChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common lung disease. Having COPD makes it hard to breathe. There are two main forms of COPD:Chroni...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article The common cold, flu, and other viral infections Lung infections such as pneumonia or acute bronchitis PneumoniaPneumonia is inflamed or swollen lung tissue due to infection with a germ. This article covers community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). This type of pneu...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Acute bronchitisAcute bronchitis is swelling and inflamed tissue in the bronchi, the main passages that carry air to the lungs. This swelling narrows the airways, w...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sinusitis with postnasal drip SinusitisSinusitis is present when the tissue lining the sinuses become swollen or inflamed. It occurs as the result of an inflammatory reaction or an infect...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)Gastroesophageal reflux diseaseGastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which the stomach contents leak backward from the stomach into the esophagus (food pipe). F...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Other causes include:ACE inhibitors or less often ARB medicines used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure, or kidney diseases ACE inhibitorsAngiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are medicines. They treat heart, blood vessel, and kidney problems.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article High blood pressureBlood pressure is a measurement of the force exerted against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood to your body. Hypertension is the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Kidney diseasesChronic kidney disease is the slow loss of kidney function over time. The main job of the kidneys is to remove wastes and excess water from the body...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Cigarette smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke (or smoking other substances like marijuana) Lung cancer Lung cancerLung cancer is cancer that starts in the lungs. The lungs are located in the chest. When you breathe, air goes through your nose, down your windpipe...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lung disease such as bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, or interstitial lung disease BronchiectasisBronchiectasis is a disease in which the large airways in the lungs are damaged. This causes the airways to become permanently wider. Bronchiectasis...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Cystic fibrosisCystic fibrosis is a disease that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs, digestive tract, and other areas of the body. It is one of th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Interstitial lung diseaseInterstitial lung disease (ILD) is a group of lung disorders in which the lung tissues become inflamed and then damaged.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sometimes no specific cause is found Home Care If you have asthma or another chronic lung disease, make sure you are taking medicines prescribed by your health care provider.Here are some tips to help ease your cough:If you have a dry, tickling cough, try cough drops or hard candy. Never give these to a child under age 3, because they can cause choking. Use a vaporizer or take a steamy shower to increase moisture in the air to help soothe a dry throat. If you use a humidifier, make sure it is properly cleaned and maintained. Drink plenty of fluids. Liquids help thin the mucus in your throat making it easier to cough it up. Do not smoke, and stay away from secondhand smoke.Medicines you can buy on your own include:Guaifenesin helps break up mucus. Follow package instructions on how much to take. Do not take more than the recommended amount. Drink lots of fluids if you take this medicine. Decongestants help clear a runny nose and relieve postnasal drip. Check with your provider before taking decongestants if you have high blood pressure. Talk to your child's provider before you give children ages 6 years or younger an over-the-counter cough medicine, even if it is labeled for children. These medicines likely do not work for children, and can have serious side effects.If you have seasonal allergies, such as hay fever:Stay indoors during days or times of the day (usually the morning) when airborne allergens are high. Keep windows closed and use an air conditioner. Do not use fans that draw in air from outdoors. Shower and change your clothes after being outside.If you have allergies year-round, cover your pillows and mattress with dust mite covers, use an air purifier, and avoid pets with fur and other triggers.Treat the underlying cause (per above) as directed by your provider. When to Contact a Medical Professional Call 911 or the local emergency number if you have:Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Hives or a swollen face or throat with difficulty swallowingHivesHives are raised, usually itchy, red bumps (welts) on the surface of the skin. They can be an allergic reaction to food or medicine. They can also ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Contact your provider right away if you have a cough and any of the following:Heart disease, swelling in your legs, or a cough that gets worse when you lie down (may be signs of heart failure) Heart failureHeart failure is a condition in which the heart is no longer able to pump oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body efficiently. This causes symptom...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Have had contact with someone who has tuberculosis Unintentional weight loss or night sweats (could be tuberculosis) An infant younger than 3 months old who has a cough A cough that lasts longer than 10 to 14 days A cough that produces blood Fever (may be a sign of a bacterial infection that requires antibiotics) FeverFever is the temporary increase in the body's temperature in response to a disease or illness. A child has a fever when the temperature is at or abov...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A high-pitched sound (called stridor) when breathing in StridorStridor is an abnormal, high-pitched, musical breathing sound. It is caused by a blockage in the throat or voice box (larynx). It is most often hea...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Thick, foul-smelling, yellowish-green phlegm (could be a bacterial infection) A violent cough that begins rapidly What to Expect at Your Office Visit Your provider will perform a physical exam. You will be asked about your cough. Questions may include:When the cough began What it sounds like If there is a pattern to it What makes it better or worse If you have other symptoms, such as a feverYour provider will examine your ears, nose, throat, and chest.Tests that may be done include:Chest x-ray or CT scan Chest x-rayA chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article CT scanA chest CT (computed tomography) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the chest and upper abdomen....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lung function tests Lung function testsPulmonary function tests are a group of tests that measure breathing and how well the lungs are functioning.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Blood tests Tests to check the heart, such as an echocardiogram EchocardiogramAn echocardiogram is a test that uses sound waves to create pictures of the heart. The picture and information it produces is more detailed than a s...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Gastroesophageal reflux evaluation tests (for example barium swallow) Swabs of the nose or throat to check for a virus infection CT scan of the sinusesCT scan of the sinusesA computed tomography (CT) scan of the sinus is an imaging test that uses x-rays to make detailed pictures of the air-filled spaces inside the face (...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment depends on the cause of the cough.Open ReferencesReferencesChung KF, Mazzone SB. Cough. In: Broaddus VC, King TE, Ernst JD, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 37.Kraft M. Approach to the patient with respiratory disease. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 71.
