Definition of hacking cough

The term "hacking cough" is commonly used to describe a type of chronic cough that produces a distinctive deep, loud, and hacking sound. This cough can be a sign of several underlying respiratory conditions, including bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer. The term "hacking" actually refers to the characteristic sound made during the cough, which results from the forceful expulsion of mucus and phlegm from the airways. This sound can be loud enough to be heard across a room and is often described as sounding like a deep, barking noise. The origin of the term "hacking cough" is unclear, but it is thought to have been coined in the mid-19th century by Dr. Charles Meigs, an American physician. Meigs used the term to describe the distinctive sound that is heard during a particularly severe episode of bronchitis, which at the time was commonly associated with people who worked outdoors in dirty, dusty environments, such as miners and farm laborers. Over time, the term "hacking cough" has come to be used more broadly to describe any chronic cough that produces the distinctive hacking sound, regardless of its underlying cause. Today, it is a widely recognized and commonly used term in medical parlance, helping to quickly and accurately communicate information about a patient's symptoms to healthcare providers.