Generally, coughing can be caused by irritation to the airway or obstruction in the throat, lungs, or brachia. People often experience coughing as a symptom of allergies, sometimes as a result of irritation to the lungs themselves by the irritant, or as a secondary symptom caused by post-nasal drip. Coughing is also a major sign of an upper respiratory infection, where mucus builds up in the sinuses and lungs. Coughing is a common symptom of many bacterial and viral infections of the body, so it's important to be aware of any other symptoms or health conditions. People who have asthma may experience chronic, ongoing coughing exacerbated by activity or irritants like smoke and pollen. This can make it more challenging to tell the difference between a person's "normal" level of coughing and coughing as a symptom of an infection.
If you or someone you know is coughing a lot, consider whether there are any other symptoms. Does the cough produce an unnatural sound like a bark or wheezing? Does any mucous come up with coughing? If so, what color is it? Are you also experiencing a fever, tightness of the chest, a sore throat, or digestive troubles? Pay attention to your body, and if you've answered yes to any of these questions, please make an appointment to see your physician for diagnosis and treatment.
If there are no other symptoms, or you'd just like to try and eliminate irritation to your respiratory system, you can try a few things. Avoid smoke or heavy fragrances, which can be irritating. Try avoiding foods with dairy, as these create mucus in the throat. If you live in an area with a lot of plants, try to avoid going outdoors on high-pollen days and consider keeping windows closed at home. Alternately, you might use a dust mask when going outdoors to protect yourself from pollen.
Again, if you are experiencing a cough that is not normal for you, please see your physician!
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