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Overview


One survey of internists demonstrated that cough is the third most common reason for an office visit. Cough can be acute or chronic. The most common cause of acute cough is an acute respiratory infection. Chronic cough is defined as a cough persisting for more than 3 weeks.


Physiology

Nerves called cough receptors are located near the surface of the upper and lower airways. Various agents, including noxious gases and fumes, foreign bodies, viruses and bacteria, acid, and ot...Read the full article