What causes Cough?

An acute cough is usually caused by an infection such as a cold or flu . In some cases, an acute cough can be the sign of a more serious condition, such as:

• Pneumonia
• Congestive heart failure
• Pulmonary embolus
• Tuberculosis
• Lung cancer
• Aspiration of a foreign body

A chronic cough can be caused by many factors. Common examples include:

• Chronic bronchitis due to smoking
• Asthma
• Reflux of acid from the stomach into the throat
• Postnasal drip, which may in turn be due to:
  • Repeated inhalation of environmental irritants
  • Sinus inflammation
  • Allergies
• Bronchiectasis is one of many other less common causes of chronic cough.
• Medications, most notably angiotensin converting enzyme (“ACE”) inhibitors, can sometimes cause cough.

Alveoli (Air Sacs) of Lung

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