A cough is an annoying symptom that can have many causes. Follow this chart to help identify your problem and find suggestions for self-care.
Trusted medical advice from the
American Academy of Family Physicians.
American Academy of Family Physicians.
Go to familydoctor.org Home
Trusted medical advice from the
American Academy of Family Physicians.
American Academy of Family Physicians.
Cough
Step 1
Selecting A Symptom
- Abdominal Pain (Stomach Pain), Long-term
- Abdominal Pain (Stomach Pain), Short-term
- Ankle Problems
- Breast Problems in Men
- Breast Problems in Women
- Chest Pain in Infants and Children
- Chest Pain, Acute
- Chest Pain, Chronic
- Cold and Flu
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Ear Problems
- Elimination Problems or Constipation
- Elimination Problems or Constipation in Infants and Children
- Eye Problems
- Facial Swelling
- Feeding Problems in Infants and Children
- Fever
- Fever in Infants and Children
- Foot Problems
- Genital Problems in Infants (Female)
- Genital Problems in Infants (Male)
- Genital Problems in Men
- Genital Problems in Women
- Hair Loss
- Hand/Wrist/Arm Problems
- Headaches
- Hearing Problems
- Hip Problems
- Knee Problems
- Leg Problems
- Lower Back Pain
- Menstrual Cycle Problems
- Mouth Problems
- Mouth Problems in Infants and Children
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Nausea and Vomiting in Infants and Children
- Neck Pain
- Neck Swelling
- Shortness of Breath
- Shortness of Breath in Infants and Children
- Shoulder Problems
- Skin Rashes & Other Skin Problems
- Throat Problems
- Tooth Problems
- Urination Problems
Step 2
Answering Questions
Has your cough begun recently? Consider recent exposures you may have experienced, including new pets, new environments, new medications, etc.
Are you very short of breath, and are you coughing up pink, frothy mucus?
Does your cough produce clear or pale yellow mucus?
Does your cough produce yellow, tan, or green mucus?
Does the cough come with shortness of breath and wheezing?
Do you have heart problems? Also, do you have swelling in your legs and/or shortness of breath when you are active or after you have been lying down?
Have you recently started coughing up blood or bloody sputum?
Have you recently started having sharp chest pain, rapid heartbeat, swelling of the legs and sudden shortness of breath?
Do you have a fever, chills and night sweats along with chest pain when you cough or take a deep breath?
Have you unintentionally lost weight?
Did you inhale dust, particles, or an object?
Has you cough lasted longer than 6 weeks?
Step 3
Possible Causes
Diagnosis
Your symptoms may be from a serious condition called PULMONARY EDEMA (fluid in the lungs).
Self Care
Have someone drive you to the nearest emergency room or call an ambulance right away.
Diagnosis
You likely have a viral infection, which includes the FLU.
Self Care
If it is within 48-72 hours from the beginning of symptoms, there are medications that your doctor can prescribe if you test positive for, or they suspect the FLU. If it is outside the 48-72-hour window or it is not the flu, then symptomatic treatment (treating cough, headache, sinus congestion, sore throat, etc. can be accomplished with an over-the-counter cough and cold medication). Get plenty of rest and drink plenty of water. Call your doctor if you have a high fever (>101.5°F) or your symptoms persist for more than 5 days.
Diagnosis
You may have an infection of the airways, such as CHRONIC BRONCHITIS. If you have a fever with shaking chills and are very ill, you may have a more serious infection, such as PNEUMONIA.
Self Care
See your doctor or go to the closest emergency room if you are having trouble breathing. Your doctor can prescribe medicine to relieve your symptoms. Get plenty of rest, and drink lots of fluids. If you smoke, stop smoking.
Diagnosis
These symptoms may be a sign of ASTHMA, a closure or restriction of the airways.
Self Care
Asthma can be dangerous and should be diagnosed and treated by your doctor. Make sure that you get your annual influenza vaccination. If you feel that you can’t catch your breath or can’t stop coughing, then have someone drive you to the closest emergency room or call an ambulance.
Diagnosis
Persistent coughing can be caused by CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE, especially when there is a buildup of fluid in the lungs, as well as in the legs, feet, and/or ankles.
Self Care
See your doctor.
Diagnosis
Bloody mucus with these symptoms may mean that a blood clot has moved from your leg to your lungs. This is called PULMONARY EMBOLISM. You may also have developed an infection called PNEUMONIA.
Self Care
Have someone drive you to the closest emergency room or call an ambulance.
Diagnosis
These symptoms may be caused by TUBERCULOSIS or another type of infection.
Self Care
Have someone drive you to the closest emergency room or call an ambulance.
Diagnosis
This may be a sign of a serious illness, such as LUNG CANCER. Other signs of lung cancer may include a cough that produces bloody sputum, shortness of breath and wheezing.
Self Care
See your doctor right away.
Diagnosis
Irritation of the airways will cause coughing to attempt to clear the object or irritation out of the airway.
Self Care
If you smoke, stop smoking. If the coughing is severe or if you don’t believe the irritant has been cleared from your airway, see your doctor or go to the emergency room right away.
Diagnosis
This is known as CHRONIC COUGH. The three most common causes are UPPER AIRWAY COUGH SYNDROME, ASTHMA, and ACID REFLUX.
Self Care
UPPER AIRWAY COUGH SYNDROME is usually due to environmental exposures, such as ALLERGIC RHINITIS. This can be caused by triggers like pollen, weeds, cat/dog dander, mold, dust, etc. Treat with antihistamines and see your doctor. for consideration of an inhaled nasal steroid and potentially allergy shots.
Your cough may be a symptom of ASTHMA, a closure or restriction of the airways.
ASTHMA can be dangerous and should be diagnosed and treated by your doctor. Make sure that you get your annual influenza vaccination. If you feel that you can’t catch your breath or can’t stop coughing, then have someone drive you to the closest emergency room or call an ambulance.
Your symptoms may be associated with heartburn, a sour taste in your mouth, or a burning sensation in the back of your throat. This can lead to ACID REFLUX. You can try over-the-counter antacids. See your doctor if symptoms are present most days of the week.
Self Care
For more information, please talk to your doctor. If you think your problem is serious, call your doctor right away.
