Coughing is an important way to keep your throat and airways clear. However, excessive coughing may mean you have an underlying disease or disorder.

Besides recent upper airway infections such as the common cold and flu, other common causes of coughs include:

• Allergies and asthma
• Lung infections such as  pneumonia or acute bronchitis
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (emphysema or chronic bronchitis)
• Sinusitis leading to postnasal drip
• Lung disease such as bronchiectasis, interstitial lung disease, or tumors
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Cigarette smoking
• Exposure to secondhand smoke 
• Exposure to air pollutants
• ACE inhibitors (medications used to control blood pressure)

If a child has a barking cough, see croup.

Although coughing can be a troubling symptom, it is usually your body's way of healing. Here are some tips to help ease your cough:

• If you have a dry, tickling cough, try cough drops or hard candy. NEVER give these to a child under age 3, because they can cause choking.
• Use a vaporizer or take a steamy shower. Both these things increase the moisture in the air and can help soothe a dry throat.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Liquids help thin the mucus in your throat and make it easier to cough it up.

NOTE: Medical experts have recommended against using cough and cold drugs in children under age 6. Talk to your doctor before your child takes any type of over-the-counter cough medicine, even if it is labeled for children. These medicines likely will not work for children, and they may have serious side effects.

Medications available without a prescription include:

• Guaifensin helps break up mucus. Drink lots of fluids if you take this medicine.
• Decongestants help clear a runny nose and relieve postnasal drip. DO NOT give children under age 6 an over-the-counter decongestant unless specifically told to do so by your doctor. You should not take decongestants if you have high blood pressure.

Do not expect a doctor to prescribe antibiotics for viral infections like colds or flu. Antibiotics do not work on viruses. Antibiotics also will not help coughs from allergies.