Cough is one of the most common symptoms of respiratory diseases. It is a reflexive defensive action by which respiratory secretions and foreign bodies in the airways can be cleared, but frequent coughing seriously affects the work and life of patients. Here we briefly introduce the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of cough. Cough is caused by stimulation of the cough center in the medulla oblongata. Stimuli from the receptor areas of the ear, nose, pharynx, larynx, bronchi and pleura are transmitted to the medullary cough center, which then transmits impulses to the motor nerves, namely the hypoglossal, phrenic and spinal nerves, causing the pharyngeal, diaphragmatic and other respiratory muscles to move respectively to complete the coughing action, which is manifested by a deep inspiration followed by a sudden and violent exhalation to break out of the narrow vocal fissure and produce a coughing action and sound. Cough is usually divided into 3 categories according to time: acute cough, subacute cough, and chronic cough. 1. Acute cough: less than 3 weeks, common diseases are common cold, acute bronchitis, sinusitis, acute attack of chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, etc.; 2. Subacute cough: 3-8 weeks, common diseases are post-infectious cough, bacterial sinusitis, asthma, etc.; 3. Chronic cough: more than 8 weeks, common diseases are cough variant asthma, postnasal drip syndrome, eosinophilic bronchitis, gastro-esophageal Reflux cough, etc.