Meaning and Common Causes of Cough

Just Recently, i was down with some bit of malaria (Lol) Even doctors
get sick, and moreover am not one. Yea, but thanks to Tbthealth i
stopped the cough 10 mins after i started the cough.
Now what does Cough mean?
A cough is a common reflex action that aims to clear the throat of
mucus or foreign irritants. Coughing to clear the throat is
typically an infrequent action, although there are a number of other
conditions that can cause more frequent bouts of coughing.
In general, a cough that lasts for less than three weeks is known as
an acute cough.
A cough that lasts between three weeks and eight weeks, improving by
the end of the
period, is known as a sabacute cough.
A persistent cough that lasts for over eight weeks is known as a chronic cough.
Most coughs will clear up, or at least significantly improve, within
two weeks. If you cough up blood or have a "barking" cough, consult
with a doctor. Any cough that has not improved after a few weeks may
be serious and you should see a doctor.
What Causes a Cough?
A cough can be caused by a number of conditions, both temporary and permanent.
- Clearing of 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 dust, a cough is a reflex
reaction that attempts to clear the particles and make breathing
easier.
Usually, this type of coughing is relatively infrequent, but coughing
will increase with
exposure to irritants such as smoke.
- Viruses and Bacteria
The most common cause of a cough is a respiratory tract infection,
such as a cold or flu. This is usually caused by a virus and may only
last for a few days or a week. Caused by the flu may take some extra
time to clear up.
- Smoking
Smoking is the second most common cause of coughing. A cough caused by
smoking is
almost always a chronic cough, with a distinctive sound. It is often
known as "smoker's lung" or a "smoker's 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 vocal
cords; post-nasal drip, bacterial infections such as
pneumonia, whooping cough and croup; and serious conditions such as
pulmonary embolisms 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 reflex in the trachea causing
the person to cough.
(CHEST ) Some coughs are diagnosed as being psychological.