Sign or Symptom
cough
cough [ kawf, kof ]
Subclass of:
Signs and Symptoms, Respiratory;
Respiration Disorders
Definitions related to coughing:
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(cough) A sudden, audible expulsion of air from the lungs through a partially closed glottis, preceded by inhalation. It is a protective response that serves to clear the trachea, bronchi, and/or lungs of irritants and secretions, or to prevent aspiration of foreign materials into the lungs.NLM Medical Subject HeadingsU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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(cough) A sudden, often repetitive, spasmodic contraction of the thoracic cavity, resulting in violent release of air from the lungs, and usually accompanied by a distinctive sound.NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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(cough) A sudden, often repetitive, spasmodic release of air from the lungs accompanied by a distinctive sound.NICHD Pediatric TerminologyU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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(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, flu, or acute bronchitis. Chronic coughs last longer than 2 to 3 weeks. Causes of chronic cough include Chronic bronchitis; 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.MedlinePlusU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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(cough) A disorder characterized by sudden, often repetitive, spasmodic contraction of the thoracic cavity, resulting in violent release of air from the lungs and usually accompanied by a distinctive sound.Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse EventsU.S. National Institutes of Health, 2021
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Cough, an expulsive reflex initiated when the respiratory tract is irritated by infection, noxious fumes, dust, or other types of foreign bodies. The reflex results in a sudden expulsion of air from the lungs that carries with it excessive secretions or foreign material from the respiratory tract.Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2020
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