A cough is a common symptom of respiratory illness, but it can also be a benign way for your body to respond when something irritates your air passages or throat. The irritant “tickles” your nerves and the nerves send a message to your brain, which in turn tells your chest to push out air and expel the irritant.

An occasional cough is fine; but if your cough is persistent or has other symptoms accompanying it, it might be time to see your doctor.

What Causes Your 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. These illnesses are caused by a virus and can last several days or longer. Another common cause of coughing is smoking. Chronic smokers may develop a chronic cough known as smoker’s cough.

Asthma can also cause a person’s cough, which is often accompanied by wheezing, making for a distinctive symptom for a doctor to recognize. Allergies and postnasal drip can be a culprit as well