What Causes Chronic Cough?

Causes of Cough

People can experience long-term coughing for different reasons. A chronic cough does not always mean you are sick. Health conditions, environmental factors, and lifestyle factors may be responsible.

1. Allergies, Asthma, Irritants

Why am I coughing so much but not sick? Asthma, allergens, and irritants are common triggers of a cough that's not caused by illness. Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the lungs and causes asthma attacks. Triggers like certain foods or airborne irritants result in asthma attacks. These attacks include repeated episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and nighttime or early morning coughing.
You do not need to have asthma to be affected by airborne irritants. Around 40–60 million Americans have allergic rhinitis (hay fever).4 Allergic rhinitis causes coughing and other symptoms like a stuffy nose and sneezing. Common triggers include pollen, dust, and pet dander.

2.Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Heartburn is the main symptom of GERD, a digestive disorder. Coughing is another common symptom, along with chest pain and wheezing.

GERD affects people of all ages, from infants to older adults. People with asthma are at higher risk of developing the disorder. Asthma attacks can cause the lower esophageal sphincter to relax, which lets stomach contents flow back into the esophagus.

3. Air Pollution

Various pollutants and irritants in the air can cause a persistent cough. Even short-term exposure to fumes can result in cough, phlegm, and lung irritation.8 Fumes can also exacerbate the symptoms of allergies or asthma. Mold spores found in and around homes may similarly cause wheezing and coughing if you inhale them.

4. Smoking

People who smoke often develop a cough. The body's natural response to get rid of chemicals that enter the airways and lungs from tobacco use causes coughing. This chronic cough is often known as a smoker's cough.10 A smoker's cough may begin as a dry cough but can eventually turn into a wet cough, which produces phlegm.
A study published in 2016 looked at the prevalence of chronic cough and possible causes in the general population. The researchers used data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and included 119,280 adults older than 40. They found that 47.7% of people with chronic cough were current smokers

Treatment

Treating chronic cough will depend on the underlying cause. The options available to you will be specific to your individual case.19 Identifying and avoiding allergens or taking allergy medications, for example, can help resolve allergy-related chronic coughing. A healthcare provider may also advise treatments to manage the coughing if it cannot be resolved.

Home Remedies

A few home remedies exist to help treat or manage chronic coughing. Avoiding or limiting exposure to allergens or irritants, including tobacco smoke, can ensure your cough does not get worse.
Coughing can irritate your throat. Soothing your throat is another way to relieve a chronic cough. You can use cough drops, hard candies, or honey to decrease discomfort from a sore throat.
Hydration is another essential way to reduce a chronic cough. Drinking plenty of fluids thins mucus that might make you cough. Using a humidifier to moisten the air in your home can also decrease coughing.

When To See a Healthcare Provider

Consult a healthcare provider if you are concerned about coughing. You'll also want to see a healthcare provider if you have a chronic cough that lasts for more than eight weeks. They'll want to do an exam to help figure out what's causing the prolonged cough.

Seek medical attention in general if you have:

• A fever
• Coughing up blood or thick phlegm or mucus that smells bad
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Stridor, a high-pitched noise when you breathe i
• Violent coughing that starts quickly
• Worsening cough upon lying down

Website: International Conference on Infectious Diseases

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