A cough is a common reflex action that your body uses to clear your throat and airways of mucus, irritants, and infections. It can be a normal part of clearing everyday irritants from your body or it can be due to a variety of health conditions.

Coughs can be categorized into two types: acute and chronic. An acute cough typically lasts less than three weeks and is often caused by common viral infections such as the cold or flu. It may also be triggered by inhaling an irritant like dust or smoke.

Chronic coughs last longer than three weeks and may be caused by conditions like asthma, allergies, chronic bronchitis, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Sometimes, a chronic cough can be a sign of a more serious condition, such as lung cancer or heart failure.

Symptoms accompanying a cough can include a runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, hoarseness, shortness of breath, and wheezing. If a cough produces phlegm or blood, causes chest pain, or lasts for more than a few weeks, it's important to seek medical attention to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment.

Treatment for a cough depends on its cause. For many acute coughs caused by viruses, home care and over-the-counter treatments are sufficient. For chronic coughs, identifying and treating the underlying condition is necessary to alleviate the cough.