cough

Coughs are a natural way our bodies try to clear our throat and lungs when something is irritating them. They can happen when we have a cold, flu, allergies, or when we breathe in things like smoke or dust. Coughs can be dry or with mucus, which is normal. Usually, coughs go away on their own after a while, but if they last a long time is particularly severe, it might mean there's a underlying problem that needs a doctor's attention. Cough syrups (suppressants or expectorants) can help with the symptoms, but they won't fix the real cause of the cough.