Acute Bronchitis: This is often the most common cause of cough, typically resulting from a viral upper respiratory infection. It's characterized by a cough that may produce mucus, often accompanied by other symptoms like sore throat and runny nose.

Asthma: A chronic condition causing inflammation and constriction of the airways, leading to cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. It's a common cause of chronic cough.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Includes conditions like emphysema and chronic bronchitis, characterized by a long-term cough, often producing mucus, and shortness of breath.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus can cause a chronic cough, often worse at night or after eating.
Allergic Rhinitis: Allergies can cause postnasal drip, leading to a cough, especially in the morning or when exposed to allergens.

Pneumonia: An infection of the lungs that can be bacterial, viral, or fungal. It's crucial to diagnose promptly due to the potential for severe complications, especially in vulnerable populations like the elderly or those with compromised immune systems.
Lung Cancer: A persistent cough, especially if accompanied by weight loss, hemoptysis (coughing up blood), or recurrent infections, could be a sign of lung cancer.
Pulmonary Embolism: A blockage of an artery in the lungs, which can cause sudden onset of cough, often accompanied by shortness of breath, chest pain, and possibly syncope.
Tuberculosis (TB): A bacterial infection that can cause a chronic cough, often with hemoptysis, weight loss, and night sweats.

Cystic Fibrosis: A genetic disorder leading to severe damage to the lungs, digestive system, and other organs. It causes a chronic cough, among other symptoms, and is typically diagnosed in childhood.
Sarcoidosis: An inflammatory disease that affects multiple organs in the body, but most commonly the lungs and lymph glands. It can cause a cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain.
Bronchiectasis: A condition where the airways of the lungs become abnormally widened, leading to a chronic cough, often producing large amounts of mucus.
Foreign Body Aspiration: More common in children, but can occur in adults, especially those with altered mental status or dysphagia, causing an acute onset of cough and respiratory distress.