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Does this describe your symptom?

  
  • Cough is non-productive (dry cough) if there is minimal clear-white or no phlegm (sputum).
  • Cough is productive (wet cough) if there is yellow, green, or brown phlegm (sputum).
General Information
  • Cough is a very common symptom. It is the fifth most common reason for visits to physicians.
  • Smokers may have a chronic cough, especially in the morning.
Why We Cough
A cough has two important functions:
  • It serves to clear the airways of infection, mucus, foreign bodies, and other irritants.
  • It protects against aspiration of oral and stomach contents.
Common Causes
  • Most common cause: postnasal drip syndrome from a cold, from allergic rhinitis, or from sinusitis.
  • Other common causes: asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, gastroesophageal reflux, smoking.

If not, see these other symptoms
  1. Should I Call?
  2. Care at Home

Adult Housecalls. Copyright © 2001-2008. David Thompson, M.D.
Reviewed/Modified: Jan. 2008 by Intermountain Healthcare, Inc.


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