What Is a Cough?

A cough is a reflex through which the body attempts to remove foreign substances from the airways. This means that coughing may occur when particles such as dust, foreign objects, mucus, or pus enter the respiratory tract, or when the mucous membrane becomes inflamed.

Presentation

• Coughing is common during and after upper respiratory tract infections. It is usually a dry cough, meaning that no mucus or phlegm is produced. In prolonged infections and during the final stages of mild, short-term infections, occasional mucus production may occur. This is known as a productive cough.
• In cases of sinusitis, mucus often drains backward from the nose and paranasal sinuses into the throat. This can also trigger coughing as a reflex to clear the throat and prevent the mucus from travelling down the windpipe and reaching the lungs.

Common Causes

• Upper respiratory tract infection
• Smoking
• Sinusitis
• Lower respiratory tract infection
• Asthma
• COPD
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Whooping cough
• Medication side effects
• Other causes

Who Can Help?

One of our ENT specialists can carry out a comprehensive examination to establish an accurate diagnosis and recommend the most appropriate treatment.

We follow standardised clinical procedures and use state-of-the-art equipment to ensure that every patient is assessed thoroughly and efficiently.