Cough
Coughing is a reflex that keeps your throat and airways clear. Although it can be annoying, coughing helps your body heal or protect itself. Coughs can be either acute or chronic. Acute coughs begin suddenly and usually last no more than 2 to 3 weeks. Acute coughs are the kind you most often get with a cold or flu. Chronic coughs last longer than 2 to 3 weeks. Causes of chronic cough include
- Asthma
- Allergies
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
- Smoking
- Throat disorders, such as croup in young children
- Some medicines
Water can help ease your cough - whether you drink it or add it to the air with a steamy shower or vaporizer. If you have a cold or the flu, antihistamines may work better than non-prescription cough medicines. Children under four should not have cough medicine. For children over four, use caution and read labels carefully.
Related Information
GERD -
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Heartburn -
Almost everyone has heartburn sometimes. Heartburn is a painful burning feeling in your chest or throat. It happens when stomach acid backs up into your esophagus, the ...
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Esophagus Disorders -
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Hiatal Hernia -
... from the stomach into the esophagus is called gastroesophageal reflux (GERD). GERD may cause symptoms such as
Heartburn
Problems swallowing
A dry cough
Bad breath
Hiatal ...
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Asthma -
Asthma is a chronic disease that affects your airways. Your airways are tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. If you have asthma, the inside walls ...
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Stomach Disorders -
... stomach at one time or another. Indigestion and heartburn are common problems. You can relieve some stomach ... more slowly. Other problems like peptic ulcers or GERD require medical attention. You should see a doctor ...
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Throat Disorders -
... strep bacteria or the upward movement of stomach acids into the esophagus, called gastric reflux. Other problems that affect the throat include
Tonsillitis - ...
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Esophageal Cancer -
... esophageal cancer include
Smoking
Heavy drinking
Damage from acid reflux
Treatments include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and laser therapy. You might also
need nutritional support, since the cancer or treatment may
make it hard to swallow. NIH: National Cancer Institute
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Chest Pain -
... as angina
Panic attacks
Digestive problems, such as heartburn or esophagus disorders
Sore muscles
Lung diseases, such ...
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Cough -
... include
Asthma
Allergies
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
Smoking
Throat disorders, such as croup in ...
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Indigestion -
... feeling in your upper abdomen. You may have heartburn or belch and feel bloated. You may also ... with the digestive tract, like an ulcer or GERD. Avoiding foods and situations that seem to cause ...
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Swallowing Disorders -
... and cerebral palsy
Problems with your esophagus, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Stroke
Head or spinal cord injury
Cancer of ...
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It is hard when your baby is sick. Common health problems in babies include colds, coughs, fevers, and vomiting. Babies also commonly have skin problems, ...
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Digestive Diseases -
... bowel habits
Severe abdominal pain
Unintentional weight loss
Heartburn not relieved by antacids
NIH: National Institute of ...
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