The top 6 reasons for Chronic Cough

What is chronic cough?

If you have a severe cough that has lasted for more than 7-8 weeks, you could be suffering from chronic cough.

In children, a cough that lasts over 4 weeks is considered chronic.
It is usually a symptom of a more serious underlying health issue.

Causes of chronic cough

Postnasal drip
– Nose/throat glands secrete mucus to fight infection, keep membranes moist, and act as filters
– Too much mucus, or thick/infected mucus can lead to chronic cough
– Acclamation of mucus at the back of the throat, frequent throat clearing

Asthma
– This disease can cause inflammation of the lungs
– It can cause lining of airways to swell up and tighten
– This causes difficulty in breathing which leads to bouts of coughing
– If left untreated, the cough can become chronic

Acid reflux
– Occurs when acids in your stomach move back along the esophagus
– It irritates the lining of the throat
– This can lead to chronic cough

Bronchiectasis:
– Is an inflammation of the lining of bronchial tubes
– The tubes get thick and fill with mucus
– This can get infected too
– The thick mucus/ infection can give rise to a persistent cough

Pulmonary infections
– Caused by inflammations and infections of the lungs like pneumonia
– Can cause inflammation in the air sacs
– Can trigger chronic cough

Smoking and Environmental Pollution
– Can give rise to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, or lung cancer which causes chronic cough
– Can cause acid reflux that triggers chronic cough

Other common causes for chronic cough that can include:-
• Rhinosinusitis
• Eosinophilic Bronchitis
• Weak throat muscles
• Heart failure
• Psychological disorders
• Lung cancer

 

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