Symptom: Cough

Introduction: Cough

Further information about Cough is below, or review more specific information about these types of Cough: Coughing blood, Dry cough, Wet cough, Coughing spasms, Persistent cough, Chronic cough, Severe cough, Night cough or other types.

Everyone is familiar with a cough that follows cold or flu, and indeed these are the most common causes. These and other viral infections are the most common cause of acute cough, particularly in children. Other possible causes of recurrent cough in children include asthma, bronchiectasis, or even cystic fibrosis; some of these conditions allow frequent viral infections and thus recurrent cough. But a cough could also be a different infectious respiratory condition such as whooping cough, or a sign of a chronic lung condition such as emphysema or COPD, or even lung cancer. Whooping cough is uncommon in infants due to vaccination but is surprisingly common in adults (because vaccination wears off) and is often undiagnosed.

Chronic cough can indicate a variety of possible conditions. In adults it is often chronic bronchitis, COPD, smoker's cough, GERD, postnasal drip, asthma, allergies, or even just habitual coughing. Underlying asthma, allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, GERD, and enlarged adenoids are all possibilities with recurrent or chronic cough. Also possible is cancer or tuberculosis. .

» Review Causes of Cough: full list

Causes of Cough:

The following medical conditions are some of the possible causes of Cough. There are likely to be other possible causes, so ask your doctor about your symptoms.

• Common cold
• Flu
• Respiratory infection
• Bronchitis
• Pneumonia
• Viral infection
• Bacterial infection
• Fungal infection
• Asthma
• Wheezing
• Inhaled irritant
• Allergies
• Postnasal drip
• Gastric reflux
• Causes of chronic cough include:
  • Smoker's cough
  • Asthma
  • Chronic bronchitis
  • Emphysema
  • COPD
  • Lung cancer
• See also wheezing, dry cough, wet cough, persistent cough, chronic cough, and severe cough
• Exposure to noxious gases
• Inhaled foreign body
• Cigarette smoke
• Bronchiectasis
• Carcinoma
• Bronchopneumonia (type of Pneumonia)
• Pulmonary tuberculosis
• Lung fibrosis

See full list of 441 causes of Cough

» Review Causes of Cough: full list

Causes of Types of Cough:

Review the causes of these more specific types of Cough:

• Coughing blood (190 causes)
• Dry cough (60 causes)
• Wet cough (102 causes)
• Coughing spasms (13 causes)
• Persistent cough (60 causes)
• Chronic cough (103 causes)
• Severe cough (56 causes)
• Night cough (5 causes)
• Mild cough (5 causes)
• Sputum symptoms (96 causes)
• Croup (16 causes)
• Coughing (107 causes)
• Increased cough
• Acute cough (8 causes)
• Increased chest phlegm
• Non-productive cough (34 causes)
• Barking cough (8 causes)
• Productive cough (45 causes)
• Hemoptysis (118 causes)
• Bloody sputum (91 causes)

See full list of 48 types for Cough

Cough: Multiple Symptom Checker

Listed below are some combinations of symptoms associated with Cough, as listed in our database. Visit the Multiple Symptoms Checker, to add and remove symptoms and research your condition.

Multiple Symptom Checker - Other Symptoms

• Cough: Multiple Symptom Checker

Multiple Symptom Checker Combinations

• Cough and Respiratory symptoms (339 causes)
• Cough and Lung symptoms (332 causes)
• Cough and Breathing symptoms (267 causes)
• Cough and Breath symptoms (261 causes)
• Cough and Breathing difficulties (242 causes)
• Cough and Nerve symptoms (242 causes)
• Cough and Pain (241 causes)
• Cough and Sensations (239 causes)
• Cough and Head symptoms (174 causes)
• Cough and Fever (174 causes)
• Cough and Temperature symptoms (166 causes)
• Cough and Digestive symptoms (150 causes)
• Cough and Skin symptoms (149 causes)
• Cough and Muscle weakness (148 causes)
• Cough and Fatigue (146 causes)
• Cough and Mouth symptoms (131 causes)
• Cough and Muscle symptoms (130 causes)
• Cough and Skin problems (127 causes)
• Cough and Chest symptoms (119 causes)
• Cough and Chest pain (118 causes)

See full list of 1439 Multiple Symptom Checker combinations related to Cough

Home Diagnostic Testing and Cough

Home medical tests possibly related to Cough:

• Home Lung Function Tests
• Cold & Flu: Home Testing:
  • Home Fever Tests
  • Home Ear Infection Tests
  • Home Flu Tests

Causes of General Symptom Types

Research the causes of these more general types of symptom:

• Common symptoms (4555 causes)
• Respiratory symptoms (1879 causes)
• Lung symptoms (625 causes)

Causes of Similar Symptoms to Cough

Research the causes of these symptoms that are similar to, or related to, the symptom Cough:

• Runny nose (151 causes)
• Fever (1218 causes)
• Croup (16 causes)
• Dry cough (60 causes)
• Wet cough (102 causes)

Diagnostic Guides for Cough

Medical Books Excerpts Read excerpts from published book sections related to Cough from the following published medical books for more detailed information about Cough. Free access (no registration): read all online diagnostic book sections about Cough

Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Misdiagnosis and Cough

Sinusitis is overdiagnosed: There is a tendency to give a diagnosis of sinusitis, when the condition is really a harmless complication of another infection, such as a common cold....read more »

Whooping cough often undiagnosed: Although most children in the Western world have been immunized against whooping cough (also called "pertussis"), this protection wears off after about 15 years. Thus, any teen or adult with a persistent cough...read more »

Chronic lung diseases hard to diagnose: Some of the chronic lung diseases are difficult to diagnose. Even the well-knowns conditions such as asthma or lung cancer...read more »

differentiate the causes of hemoptysis: Hemoptysis is the presence of blood in the sputum. Hemoptysis is graded according to the volume of blood....read more »

Meconium ileus- look for cystic fibrosis: Cystic fibrosis is the most common autosomal recessive paediatric illness. The defect in the normal transport of chloride ions leads to...read more »

Wegener's granulomatosis can be missed out: Wegener's granulomatosis is a condition of unknown etiology which usually affects the upper respiratory tract, lungs and the kidneys. This condition can turn to be pretty fatal initial diagnosis is not made. It is...read more »

Poor prognosis for small cell cancer of lung: Small cell cancer of the lung is the leading cause of death. It is an undifferentiated tumour, which usually involves the right upper...read more »

Read more about Misdiagnosis and Cough

Diagnostic tests for Cough:

Various tests are used in the diagnosis of Cough. Some of these are listed below :

• Physical examination
  • Inspect sputum for color and consistency if possible
  • Examine lymph nodes looking for enlarged cervical or Axillary lymph nodes which may indicate lung cancer
  • Examine for Horner's syndrome - e.g. dilated pupil and drooping of the upper eyelid which may indicate lung cancer.
  • Examine for possible causes of postnasal drip - e.g. sinusitis, ear infection, nasal polyps.

See full list of 26 diagnostic tests for Cough

Diagnosis Checklist: Questions your doctor may ask (and why!)

During a consultation, your doctor will use various techniques in their assessment of Cough. Your doctor may ask several questions when assessing your condition. It is important to remember that your consultation is a two-way process and any extra information you can share with your doctor about your symptoms may help them with their diagnosis. Some of the questions your doctor may ask are listed below:

• How long have you had the cough? - to determine if acute or chronic i.e. chronic cough is a cough that has been present and not improving for more than 4 weeks. Acute cough may suggest acute upper respiratory tract infection (e.g. common cold or influenza), viral pneumonia or bacterial pneumonia. A chronic cough is more suggestive of pneumoconiosis (lung disorder caused by inhalation of mineral dusts, organic dusts, fumes and vapors), chronic bronchitis, emphysema, bronchiectasis, tuberculosis, lung cancer or asthma.
• How would you describe the cough? - e.g. paroxysmal with whoops suggest whooping cough, painful cough may suggest left ventricular heart failure, weak cough may suggest lung cancer, bovine (no power to cough) suggests vocal cord paralysis.
• What time of the day is the cough worse? - e.g. cough at night may suggest asthma, left ventricular failure, postnasal drip, chronic bronchitis, whooping cough; cough on waking may suggest bronchiectasis, chronic bronchitis or gastro-esophageal reflux.
• Is the cough related to meals? - e.g. esophageal diverticulum, tracheo-esophageal fistula.
• Is there a possibility of a foreign body? - such as a peanut having gone down the wrong way?

See Diagnosis Checklist for Cough (22 listings)

Diagnosis Checklist: Associated symptoms your doctor may ask about (and why!)

Sometimes, other symptoms may be present and may help your doctor analyse your condition. The symptoms your doctor may ask about (in association with Cough) may include:

• Sputum production? - If there is sputum production, describe it? - e.g. copious amounts with offensive smell suggests bronchiectasis; pus-like sputum may suggest pneumonia, abscess, tuberculosis or bronchiectasis; yellow-green thick and sticky may suggest asthma; profuse and watery may suggest lung cancer; red-currant jelly may suggest lung cancer; pink and frothy may suggest left ventricular failure with pulmonary edema.
• Blood in sputum? - may suggest chronic bronchitis, tuberculosis, bronchiectasis, lung cancer, lung metastasis, foreign body, left ventricular failure and mitral stenosis.
• Wheeze? - usually suggests asthma but may also be chronic bronchitis, emphysema, foreign body, lung cancer, congestive heart failure.
• If has had a wheeze, have you had previous attacks of wheezing, hay fever or eczema? - more likely to suggest asthma as cause of chronic cough.
• Shortness of breath? - In acute cases may suggest congestive heart failure, pulmonary embolism and pneumonia. In chronic cases may suggest emphysema, chronic pulmonary fibrosis, chronic congestive heart failure, tuberculosis and lung cancer.

See Diagnosis Checklist for Cough (22 listings)

Stories from Users for Cough

Real-life user stories relating to Cough:

• Not really sure what this is. But please help.
• Doctor isn't concerned but...
• really could use some help...and advice
• Really could use some input
• Am I really a hypercondriac????
• Coughing up phlegm
• difficulty waking up in the morning..need help
• Adderall Withdrawl/Dependence:I cant continue but I cant stop
• I'm bulimic and want to know what happened to me the other night. Please help.
• What's up with me - please help
• IBS? Can't stop the spasms!
• do doctors really know anything?
• Can't stop vomiting
• 1 year old only gets sick at night
• coughing phlegm
• mucus cough
• ....wake up dizy blackout patterns...
• constantly coughing up phlegm
• excess mucus/ coughing and wheezing
• A cough.. but not really a cough.

Symptom specific forums: The following patient stories in our interactive forums and message boards relate to Cough or relevant symptoms:

• Cardiovascular (Heart and Blood Circulation) (171)
  • Chest pain and shortness of breath
  • Hand numbness
  • Purple-blue skin color
  • Need help with diagnoses
  • Anxiety and high BP
  • More user stories
• Respiratory (Lungs and Breathing) (136)
  • Chlorine/ammonia odor when I breathe
  • Chest Pain/Pain While Breathing
  • Clearing throat cough and breathing difficulties
  • Chest discomfort
  • Unable to get diagnosis....please help!
  • More user stories
• Gastrointestinal (Food - from entry to exit) (452)
  • Bloating/Distention/Intestinal Gas
  • Intense Abdominal Pain
  • Help Please! Extreme Abdominal Pain/Gas/Bowel Symptoms ++
  • Feels like a baby kicking-not pregnant
  • 7 year old with severe heartburn/stomach aches
  • More user stories
• Allergic/Immunologic (88)
  • Chronic hives
  • Spontaneous flushing and redness of face and body.
  • Non-stop itching, no rash
  • Swelling & itching
  • Problems with my scalp can anyone help me
  • More user stories

Videos for Cough

Patient Surveys for Cough

• Patient Profile Survey
  Take Survey  View Results
• Survey about diseases related to your Cough
  Take Survey  View Results

Causes of Cough listed in Disease Database:

Other medical conditions listed in the Disease Database as possible causes of Cough as a symptom include:

• Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
• Amyloidosis
• Arnold's nerve cough syndrome
• Asthma
• Atypical pneumonia
• Bronchiectasis
• Bronchogenic carcinoma
• Broncholithiasis
• Captopril
• Cardiac failure, left sided
• Chlorine gas
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Cilazapril
• Coal worker's pneumoconiosis
• Cyclophosphamide
• Diffuse panbronchiolitis
• Enalapril
• Extrinsic allergic alveolitis
• Fasciola hepatica
• Fentanyl

See full list of 441 causes of Cough
- (Source - Diseases Database)

Medications or substances causing Cough:

The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible causes of Cough as a symptom. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.

• Doxapram Hydrochloride
• Dopram Injection
• Dornase Alfa
• Pulmozyme
• Carboprost Tromethamine

See full list of 359 medications causing Cough

Drug interactions causing Cough:

When combined, certain drugs, medications, substances or toxins may react causing Cough as a symptom. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.

• Trandolapril and capsaicin interaction
• Mavik and capsaicin interaction
• Tarka and capsaicin interaction
• Quinapril and capsaicin interaction
• Accupril and capsaicin interaction

See full list of 385 drug interactions causing Cough

Definitions of Cough:

Cough: (1) A sudden explosive forcing of air through the glottis, occurring immediately on opening the previously closed glottis, excited by mechanical or chemical irritation of the trachea or bronchi or by pressure from adjacent structures. (2) To force air through the glottis by a series of expiratory efforts. [echoic]
Source: Stedman's Medical Spellchecker, © 2006 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

A cough is a sudden, often repetitive, spasmodic contraction of the thoracic cavity, resulting in violent release of air from the lungs, and usually accompanied by a distinctive sound. (from Wikipedia)
- (Source - Diseases Database)

Sudden expulsion of air from the lungs that clears the air passages; a common symptom of upper respiratory infection or bronchitis or pneumonia or tuberculosis
- (Source - WordNet 2.1)

Organs affected by Cough:

The list of organs typically affected by Cough may include, but is not limited to:

• Lungs
• Sinuses
• Throat

Detailed list of causes of Cough

The list below shows some of the causes of Cough mentioned in various sources:

• Absence of pulmonary artery - coughing blood
• Accelerated silicosis - dry cough
• Achalasia - coughing
• Achalasia, familial esophageal - night-time cough
• Acid-Base Imbalance - chronic cough

See full list of 441 causes of Cough

How Common are these Causes of Cough?

This information refers to the general prevalence and incidence of these diseases, not to how likely they are to be the actual cause of Cough. Of the 441 causes of Cough that we have listed, we have the following prevalence/incidence information:

• 17 causes are "very common" diseases
• 11 causes are "common" diseases
• 6 causes are "uncommon" diseases
• 3 causes are "rare" diseases
• 38 causes are "very rare" diseases
• 384 causes have no prevalence information.

See the analysis of the prevalence of 441 causes of Cough

Conditions listing symptoms: Cough:

The following list of conditions have 'Cough' or similar listed as a symptom in our database. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.

A

Causes of Cough Based on Risk Factors

This information shows analysis of the list of causes of Cough based on whether certain risk factors apply to the patient: