Your Cart is Empty
A cough is one of the most common symptoms people experience, yet it can mean many different things. Sometimes it’s a minor annoyance that clears up on its own. Other times, it can signal an underlying health issue that needs attention. Understanding why coughs happen and how to manage them can help you know when to treat symptoms at home and when to seek medical care.
What Is a Cough?
A cough is a protective reflex. When something irritates your airways—such as dust, mucus, germs, or stomach acid—your body responds by forcefully pushing air out of your lungs. This burst of air helps clear out substances that don’t belong there and keeps your breathing passages open.
Coughs can feel different depending on their cause. A dry cough doesn’t produce mucus and often feels tickly or scratchy. A wet cough brings up mucus and may feel heavy or congested. Some coughs sound distinctive, such as a barking cough seen with croup or a “whooping” sound associated with whooping cough. Coughs can also be short-lived or linger for weeks, becoming what doctors call a chronic cough.
Common Causes of a Cough
There are many possible reasons someone might develop a cough. Infections like the common cold, flu, bronchitis, or pneumonia are frequent culprits. Allergies can also trigger coughing when pollen, pet dander, or mold irritates the airways.
Asthma and chronic lung conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often cause recurring coughs, especially during flare-ups. Postnasal drip—when mucus from the nose drains into the throat—is another common cause, particularly during allergy season or after a cold.
Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), can lead to coughing when stomach acid irritates the throat. Certain medications, including some blood pressure drugs and nasal sprays, may cause coughing as a side effect. Less commonly, coughs can be related to heart disease, vocal cord problems, or cancers affecting the lungs.
Because the causes vary so widely, healthcare providers may use tools such as chest X-rays, breathing tests, or lab work to pinpoint what’s behind a persistent cough.
Possible Complications of Frequent Coughing
While coughing serves an important purpose, excessive or forceful coughing can cause problems. Repeated coughing fits may trigger asthma attacks, make breathing difficult, or lead to choking. In severe cases, coughing can cause headaches, muscle strains, rib fractures, fainting, or vomiting. These complications are more likely when coughing is intense or prolonged.
Treating a Cough
The best treatment depends on what’s causing the cough. For mild or short-term coughs, over-the-counter options may help ease symptoms. Throat lozenges, sprays, and cough drops can soothe irritation. Cough suppressants help quiet the brain’s cough reflex, while expectorants thin mucus so it’s easier to clear. Decongestants can be helpful if postnasal drip is making the cough worse.
Honey has also been shown in some studies to calm coughing, though it should never be given to infants under one year old. It’s important to avoid giving cough medications to children unless a healthcare provider specifically recommends them.
Home Remedies That May Help
Simple at-home steps can often reduce coughing. Drinking plenty of fluids helps thin mucus, making it easier to clear from your airways. Warm, steamy showers or using a humidifier can loosen congestion and keep airways moist. Avoiding smoking, vaping, and environmental irritants like strong scents or smoke is also essential, as these can worsen airway inflammation.
Treating Underlying Conditions
If a cough is caused by an ongoing condition, treating that condition is key. Bacterial infections may require antibiotics, while allergies may be managed with antihistamines or steroid nasal sprays. Inhalers are commonly prescribed for asthma and COPD, and acid reflux-related coughs may improve with medications that reduce stomach acid. In some cases, short courses of steroids are used to calm severe inflammation.
When to See a Doctor
You should talk to a healthcare provider if a cough lasts more than a few weeks, worsens over time, or produces yellow, green, or bloody mucus. Other warning signs include coughing that causes vomiting, a persistent fever, or unusual sounds like barking or whooping.
Seek emergency care right away if coughing makes it hard to breathe, causes severe chest pain, produces large amounts of blood, or feels like choking.
The Bottom Line
Coughing is your body’s natural way of protecting your lungs and airways, but that doesn’t make it any less uncomfortable—or concerning when it won’t stop. Most coughs are not serious and resolve with time and basic care. Still, a persistent or severe cough deserves medical attention. Knowing what to watch for can help you protect your health and breathe easier.
