Coughing

There are two types of coughs to consider: productive and nonproductive. A productive cough involves the creation of mucus. A nonproductive cough is dry and does not cause mucus to form in the lungs.

Causes and Symptoms

• Changes in the weather • Inflammation of pharynx or larynx • Breathing conditions, such as asthma • Smoking tobacco (also known as a smoker’s cough) • Food going down the wrong pipe • Allergies to smoke, dust, chemicals, or pollen grains • Childhood illnesses, such as the flu or bronchitis • Infectious conditions, such as pneumonia, whooping cough, and sinus infections

Symptoms that often accompany a cough include congestion in the chest, body pains, sore throat, cold, fever, headache, problems falling asleep, and difficulty breathing.