Learn about the causes of chronic cough and ways to treat it
Reports indicate that about 4% to 10% of adults suffer from a chronic cough, which is a cough that lasts eight weeks or more, or at least four weeks in children.
This type of cough does not require immediate medical attention unless the person has other symptoms such as fever or shortness of breath, which go away once the underlying problem is addressed.
According to Business Insider, here are 10 possible causes of a chronic cough and how you can treat each of them:
1. Asthma
It is a chronic condition that causes symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and coughing. There is a form of asthma called "cough variable asthma" where the only symptom is a chronic cough and it tends to be more common among children.
To treat coughing asthma, the patient needs a prescription for asthma medications such as bronchodilators, a group of medications that relieve asthma symptoms.
2. After "Covid-19"
A chronic cough is common in post-Covid syndrome, also known as "prolonged Covid", which is a group of symptoms that persist for weeks or months after the initial infection with SARS-CoV-2.
Currently, the management of cough associated with "Covid-19" is still unclear as learning continues about post-Covid syndrome and its treatment, but it is recommended to drink hot beverages that may warm the airway in addition to drinking water throughout the day, to keep the throat moist, and feeling good. More comfortably.
3. Upper Air Cough Syndrome (UACS)
One of the most common causes of a chronic cough is upper airway cough syndrome (UACS), which is treated with the management of sinus congestion.
By prescription such as ipratropium or azelastine and reduce exposure to allergens such as pollen or pet dander.
4. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
It is a group of lung diseases such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis that make breathing more difficult and cause the lungs to secrete excess mucus, which may lead to recurring coughing, in addition to other symptoms such as chest tightness and wheezing when breathing.
Coughing is treated with patient-appropriate inhalers, which may not completely eliminate the cough, but provide some control.
Treatment of COPD depends on the severity of the condition. In some cases, smoking cessation, medication or surgery may be required. However, more studies are needed to determine the response of cough to COPD treatment.
5. Medicines
Chronic cough caused by medication is rare and occurs from medications such as those used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure and may cause chronic cough.
To get rid of cough caused by medicine, you must change to another type of medicine, and the cough will disappear within one to four weeks.
6. Gastroesophageal reflux disease
It occurs when stomach acid travels into the esophagus, irritating the esophageal lining and leading to chronic coughing.
It is treated with lifestyle modifications such as avoiding fatty foods, chocolate and mint, which may lead to acid reflux and head elevation during sleep.
And if lifestyle modifications don't work, antacids that neutralize stomach acid or proton pump inhibitors that reduce the amount of stomach acid may significantly reduce, if not completely resolve, your cough.
7. Chronic bronchitis and acidosis
It is a type of COPD that specifically refers to inflammation and irritation of the airways, which may be caused by inhaling irritants such as air pollution or tobacco smoke.
It is diagnosed when a person regularly produces excess mucus for at least three consecutive months out of the year for two or more years in a row.
Bronchitis may lead to a chronic cough.
Other symptoms of chronic bronchitis include chest tightness and wheezing.
Chronic bronchitis is not curable, but its symptoms can be reduced by stopping smoking, avoiding irritants, and taking medications that reduce airway inflammation.
8. Bronchiectasis
It is a chronic lung condition in which the airways dilate and lose the ability to remove mucus and can lead to a chronic cough.
Possible treatments for this cough include guaifenesin and taking albuterol or normal saline through a nebulizer, followed by the use of positive expiratory pressure (PEP) devices.
9. Other infections
Viral and bacterial infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia are common causes of coughing and when bacterial infections are adequately treated, the accompanying cough usually resolves.
Antibiotics may be prescribed if the chronic cough is caused by a bacterial infection.
A cough associated with a viral infection, such as the common cold or the flu, often resolves and goes away spontaneously after a few days. A postinfection cough may occur, which lasts for more than three weeks after recovering from a viral infection and usually resolves on its own over time.
10. Cancer
Lung cancers and other forms of cancer that spread to the lungs can cause coughing. Treatment is determined by the type of primary cancer, but airway clearing techniques can be used to provide some relief.
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