Coughing is an important systemic function. This action enables the body to expel foreign particles like dirt and dust before said items can potentially cause harm.
That said, a chronic cough can be an annoying occurrence that interferes with someone’s ability to sleep and perform other pertinent tasks. Additionally, said condition lingering coughs might also be symptomatic of health maladies that warrant examination, diagnosis and treatment. The following short blog will offer several potential precipitating factors.
Reasons For A Chronic Cough
A chronic cough might be precipitated by a variety of medical conditions and lifestyle habits that could potentially include:
1. Nasal Allergies
Seasonal allergies like hay fever or any other environmental allergen that precipitates physical manifestations such as a runny nose and sneezing could produce a lasting cough. These conditions can cause a medical occurrence known as post-nasal drip, which is a buildup of mucous that trickles down from the nose into the throat and lungs. Mucous may subsequently lead to irritation that results in coughing.
2. Common Cold
Almost everyone has experienced the runny nose, sore throat, sneezing and headaches common to most cold viruses. Akin to allergies, cold viruses irritate the nasal cavity and precipitates the onset of post-nasal drip. Should this condition become pronounced, a cough could develop and linger for some time.
3. Asthma
This condition occurs when the lungs become irritated by allergens. Said irritation often precipitates coughing.
4. Acid Reflux Disease (GERD)
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease occurs when stomach acid gets trapped inside the throat. When this happens, the irritating acid damages the throat’s lining. This irritation might lead to persistent coughing.
5. Bacterial Infections
Illnesses such as upper respiratory infections, bronchitis and, in severe instances, pneumonia can precipitate persistent coughing. These conditions often elicit physical manifestations that are similar to less serious ailments like the common cold or nasal allergies. However, these maladies often produce elevated body temperatures and have the potential to spread to other bodily regions if not treated effectively.
6. Smoking
When individuals smoke, they inhale numerous toxins and chemicals contained in nicotine. Many of these substances are caustic and may precipitate irritation or damage to the lungs. Said occurrences may eventually lead to lingering coughs.
7. Specific Medications
Certain drugs have been known to induce chronic coughing. One such medication are Angiotensin Covering Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors. These substances are commonly used to treat individuals with hypertension (high blood pressure).
8. Less Common Causes
Some less common reasons for chronic cough include aspiration (when food enters the breathing passages instead of the digestive canal), various lung diseases like cancer, bronchiectasis, bronchiolitis, cystic fibrosis and tuberculosis) and specific heart ailments like heart valve disease or heart failure.
Important Considerations
A persistent cough can indicate the presence of serious ailments and should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Any cough that lingers for more than a couple of weeks (or greater than six weeks following a cold, upper respiratory or lung infection) should warrant a trip to a doctor. Moreover, persistent coughs that are accompanied by red flag symptoms like a high fever, the expectoration of blood, breathing difficulties, chest pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, excessive fatigue and sweating should be examined by a physician as soon as possible.