Cough: Differential diagnosis and differentiated treatment

The review presents an update on the determination of the causes and mechanisms of acute and chronic cough. It assesses the concept of productive and non-productive cough (acute cough, chronic cough), its duration in different diseases of the lung, upper and lower respiratory tract, pulmonary embolism, gastroesophageal reflux disease, pharyngolaryngeal reflux, and during treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Information is given on treatment policy for cough in different diseases.