Handling a persistent cough can be difficult. We’ll discuss cough causes, treatments, and when to consult a doctor.
What is meant by persistent coughing?
Persistent coughs last longer than three weeks. A post-upper respiratory infection cough might continue up to three weeks.
A prolonged dry cough—meaning you’re not coughing up much mucus—may go away on its own. If you’re coughing up mucus after an upper respiratory illness, tell your doctor. This may indicate a treatable infection like pneumonia.
Most causes of a persistent cough are minor. Your doctor can cure your cough with correct examination.
Here are eight frequent causes of a chronic cough
1. Upper respiratory infection-induced airway reactivity
Upper respiratory infections can inflame your airways. Coughing may result from hypersensitive airways.
It’s unknown why. Your airways or nerves may be more sensitive. Increased mucus production may cause it.
Reactive airways usually cause normal X-rays and testing. Persistent coughs typically go away. Cough, inflammation, and mucus medications may help relieve symptoms.
2. Post-nasal drip
Postnasal drip, or upper airway cough syndrome, can occur when the nose or sinuses are irritated or inflamed. Mucus pouring down the throat causes a cough.
Colds, sinus infections, and hay fever can induce postnasal drip. The cough may be dry or mucusy.
Symptoms of postnasal drip include:
Liquid pouring down your throat
Constantly coughing
Nighttime cough
hoarse voice
3. Nasal drainage
Postnasal drip may improve naturally. Your doctor may prescribe antihistamines, steroid nasal sprays, or OTC nasal sprays. Prescription drugs may help.
Coughing asthma
Asthma symptoms include wheezing, trouble breathing, and chest discomfort. Sometimes simply coughing is present. This cough usually worsens at night.
After a cold or exposure to allergens like dust or fumes, asthma-related coughing may intensify. Laughing or exercising might cause it.
OTC medicine won’t help asthma coughs. Cough-controlling inhalers are typically prescribed. Untreated, 40% of individuals have more asthma symptoms.
Coughing without other symptoms may indicate asthma.
4. Acid reflux and GERD
Acid reflux and GERD may produce chronic dry cough.
Aspiration is thought to cause GERD coughing. Food or stomach acid enters the airways through the throat. Food and acid may cause coughing to prevent inhalation. This relationship needs more study.
Acid reflux coughs may be accompanied with heartburn or a sour taste. 75% of GERD sufferers have no symptoms.
In these circumstances, a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) for GERD is advised. To treat your cough, your doctor may prescribe a PPI, which reduces stomach acid, for 2–8 weeks.
Sleeping with your head raised and avoiding eating three hours before night are some suggestions.
5. Drug effects
Medication might produce a chronic dry cough.
ACE inhibitors are a good example. High blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes patients often receive these drugs. 20% of ACE inhibitor users cough.
Ask your doctor whether medication is causing your cough. They can recommend medication changes.
You must take your drugs until your doctor tells you to stop. After stopping medicine, your cough should go gone in a few weeks.
6. Cold
Lower respiratory infections often cause persistent cough. Infections like:
Pneumonia
Bronchitis
Bronchiolitis
Bacteria and viruses cause these illnesses.
Lower respiratory infection symptoms include:
Fever
Breathing difficulty
Low appetite
Tell your doctor about any of these cough symptoms. A chest X-ray may reveal lung abnormalities that require therapy.
7. Smoking
Smoking cigarettes or marijuana might produce a chronic cough. Smoking toxins irritate airways. These chemicals harm the lung lining and produce bronchitis symptoms like cough and mucous.
Smoker’s cough is a mucus-filled morning cough. Stopping smoking can help. Coughing may diminish in the first month after quitting smoking.
8. COPD
COPD causes persistent coughing. Cough is a common COPD symptom.
Repeated lung and airway irritation causes COPD. Smoking causes this most.
COPD symptoms:
Productive cough
Wheezing
Breathing difficulty
Fatigue
Tell your doctor about your smoking and severe cough. Symptoms may require additional examination.
Cough therapy
Treating a chronic cough requires identifying its cause. Try natural or OTC remedies if you’re unsure. Cough treatments include:
Robitussin-like cough suppressant
Guaifenesin-like mucus thinner.
Mucus-loosening humidifier
Honey (reduces mucus)
Cough suppressant lozenge
If your symptoms worsen or don’t improve within 1–2 weeks, tell your doctor. A persistent cough requires medical treatment.
When is a chronic cough a problem?
Rarely, a more serious cause may be behind your chronic cough. If you have a chronic cough with any of these symptoms, visit a doctor:
Fever
Night sweats
Bloody cough
Breathing problems
Chest pain
Weakness
Nausea
Vomiting
Fat loss
Bottom line
Dry, persistent coughs can impair daily living. However, it generally resolves itself.
If your cough lasts longer than two weeks or involves symptoms like fever, shortness of breath, or blood in your mucus, see a doctor. They can diagnose and treat the cough.
