Cough

Possible Causes of Coughs / Coughing
Most coughs come from viral infections, such as the common cold. Some coughs stem from throat irritation or overworked vocal chords. Coughs can also be a sign of lung disease, acid reflux disease, smoking, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, allergies and asthma.

Possible Symptoms of Coughs / Coughing
Coughs can be mild or severe, chronic or intermittent, depending on the underlying condition causing the coughing. Coughs are often accompanied by wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest/rib pain, choking, heartburn, sore throat, phlegm and ear ache.

Possible Lifestyle Changes for Coughs / Coughing
There is no sure way to prevent a cough, but people can take measures to help reduce their risk by washing hands often during the cold and flu season, avoiding contact with people who have colds and influenza, not smoking, avoiding secondhand smoke, drinking plenty of water and getting an annual flu vaccine. Someone who contracts a condition that leads to coughing can treat his cough by increasing water intake, elevating his head with extra pillows at night, using cough drops to soothe irritated membranes and avoiding inhaled irritants like dust and smoke.