Thank you for your question. Coughing during or after a cold is often due to postnasal drip (nose mucous dripping down the back of the throat, causing irritation and inflammation of the voice box).
The voice box (medical term is larynx) is a very sensitive organ. Once inflamed, minor irritations of the voicebox (e.g from mucous, phelgm, saliva and in some people even a breath of dirty/cold air) will easily trigger a cough reflex.
It takes time for the inflammation of the voice box to settle and often, treating conditions of the nose and acid reflux from the stomach may help.
Without taking a full history and performing a physical examination, it is difficult to determine the cause of your cough. Cough is a symptom and there are many potential causes ranging from problems in the lungs, throat, stomach to side effects of medications and smoking.
It would be best to consult an ENT specialist first and a nasoendoscopy (small scope passed through the nose and down to the level of the voice box) is likely required. This procedure is relatively painless and is performed under local anaesthesia in the clinic.
If you also experience wheezing and difficulty breathing in addition to cough, which are symptoms suggestive of Asthma, your ENT specialist may refer you to a Respiratory Physician for further assessment.
Hope this helps.
