Q. What are the reasons behind coughing?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
When you cough, it's usually your body's way of clearing out irritants or foreign particles from your throat and airways. A cough can be triggered by various things like:
1. Infections: When you catch a cold or flu, viruses can irritate your airways, leading to coughing as your body tries to get rid of them.
2. Allergies: If you're allergic to something like pollen, dust, or pet dander, your body may react by coughing to try to expel those allergens.
3. Irritants: Breathing in things like smoke, pollution, or strong fumes can tickle your throat and make you cough as a protective response.
4. Asthma: People with asthma may cough due to inflammation and narrowing of their airways, especially in response to triggers like exercise, cold air, or allergens.
5. Acid reflux: Sometimes stomach acid can back up into your throat, causing irritation and coughing.
6. Medications: Certain medications, especially those for high blood pressure called ACE inhibitors, can cause a chronic cough as a side effect.
7. Chronic conditions: Conditions like chronic bronchitis or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) can lead to persistent coughing due to ongoing inflammation and damage to the airways.
Remember, a cough can be your body's way of protecting and clearing your airways, but if it persists for more than a few weeks, or if it's accompanied by other concerning symptoms like difficulty breathing, chest pain, or coughing up blood, it's important to see a doctor for further evaluation.
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