Dry Cough Causes and Their Treatments

A cough is the body's natural response when something irritates the throat, airway, or lungs. Coughing every once in a while is normal, but when it persists or worsens, it can be a sign of a health issue. A dry cough can be symptomatic of a variety of conditions.

1. Dry Cough vs. Wet Cough

There are many types of cough, and the type of cough a person has helps the doctor determine what is causing it. One of the first things the doctor wants to know is whether the cough is wet or dry. Wet coughs bring up phlegm or mucous; dry coughs do not. The color of the mucous produced by a wet cough gives further hints as to the cause.