These are the seven types of coughs and when you should see your doctor

Coughing is a complex reflex mechanism that allows our lungs to function properly , preventing the aspiration of foreign objects or clearing the airways of secretions through forceful exhalation. It is also one of the main symptoms of respiratory viruses and colds. Depending on the cause, coughs vary. An article published by The Sun identifies seven different types.

Cough due to infections

Coughs caused by infections, whether viral or bacterial, tend to last less than three weeks and can lead to general malaise, fever, and swollen glands. If this is the case, you'll likely experience coughing fits throughout the day, as well as notice that you have more mucus than usual.

Examples include laryngitis (barking cough and rough breathing), whooping cough (violent, dry cough with a high-pitched, wheezing sound when inhaling), or bronchitis (cough with mucus).

Asthma cough

Asthma is a lung condition that is often inherited and triggers an immune response in the respiratory system, causing inflammation of the lower airways. Symptoms include coughing—which may worsen at night or after exercise— wheezing, and chest tightness.

Nasal and sinus cough

Conditions affecting the nose and sinuses can cause acute or chronic cough. Sinusitis or rhinitis , which can be allergic in origin, are examples of this.

Cough due to acid reflux

In gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), stomach acid can flow back up your esophagus into your throat, causing acid reflux. This condition can also cause a dry cough. This cough reflex is thought to protect your airways from tiny droplets of acid that might enter.

Cough due to medication side effects

Some medications can cause a dry cough that tends to persist while they are being used, especially ACE inhibitors , which are used to control high blood pressure. Other medications can cause a cough by triggering bronchospasm, which is a narrowing of the airways.

Smoker's cough and chronic lung conditions

Certain medical conditions that affect the airways can cause a persistent cough. These include chronic obstructive airway disease (COPD), which is often the result of prolonged inflammation of the airways (emphysema), long-term damage to lung tissue, and lung cancer.

COPD also commonly causes shortness of breath, frequent chest infections , and wheezing.

There is also the so-called smoker's cough, a response of the body to the irritation caused by tobacco smoke , and it is a defense mechanism to expel mucus and particles from the lungs.

Cough due to blood clots

In some cases, a cough can be a sign of a blood clot. Symptoms of this health emergency include coughing, shortness of breath, sharp chest pain, and a rapid heartbeat. You may also cough up blood.