Definition

By Mayo Clinic Staff

A cough is your body's way of responding when something irritates your throat or airways. An irritant stimulates nerves that send a message to your brain. The brain then tells muscles in your chest and stomach area to push air out of your lungs to force out the irritant.

A cough once in a while is common and healthy. A cough that lasts for several weeks or one that brings up discolored or bloody mucus may be a sign of a condition that needs medical attention.

At times, coughing can be very forceful. Strong coughing that lasts a long time can irritate the lungs and cause even more coughing. It also is very tiring and can cause sleeplessness, dizziness or fainting; headaches; leaking of urine; vomiting; and even broken ribs.

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Dec. 11, 2024

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