There are several common causes of cough in the elderly: first, respiratory infections. For example, bronchitis, or pharyngitis, or cough caused by pneumonia. Secondly, because of the weakened gastrointestinal dynamics of the elderly, they are prone to gastroesophageal reflux disease. As a result, gastroesophageal reflux irritates the pharynx and leads to repeated coughing. Third, patients may have symptoms of postnasal drip, which means that elderly people are prone to have runny nose. The snot passes through the back of the nose and then reaches the pharynx, thus also stimulating the cough. Fourth, the elderly take more medication. Especially for hypertension, taking some drugs like Prilosec, such as Enalapril and Fosinopril, these drugs are very likely to trigger a drug-induced dry cough. Therefore, when coughing occurs in the elderly, it is recommended to rule out each one of them and then come to treatment.