Why do we cough
What actually causes you to cough?
Coughing is a normal reflex designed to clear your throat of irritants. If your airway becomes clogged with smoke, dust, or allergens, you may find yourself coughing. Cold or flu is a common cause of coughing. Having a respiratory tract infection is no fun.
Why do we cough in Covid?
It’s how the lungs and airways keep themselves clear and clean. You may find your chest remains productive with phlegm following an infection with COVID. Your breathing may be noisier than normal, and you maybe short of breath following a chest infection.
Why do we get dry cough?
Chronic dry coughs are usually caused by irritation from cigarette smoke, environmental irritants, allergies, post-nasal drip, or asthma. Several chronic lung diseases also cause a dry, hacking cough. Some people cough out of habit for no clear reason. Gastric reflux may also cause a chronic dry cough.
How do coughs start?
A cough can be triggered by both non-infectious causes, such as smoke, dust, and pet dander, or by infectious agents, like bacteria and viruses. A cough can also expel food that went down the wrong way, or a foreign object from getting into your lungs. It can be voluntary or involuntary as a reflex.