An adult with chronic cough is considered to have a cough that is present for at least eight weeks, and a child with chronic cough is present for at least four weeks. In the case of acute coughs, most will disappear without medical treatment, and therefore chronic coughs will have severe impacts. It can disrupt your sleep when you are supposed to do so or meddle with your work and even make one socially awkward. Most of the time, a cough lasting for a long time may be treated with a natural cure, but if it persists, it is advisable to seek the services of a doctor and if you are in Maharashtra you can seek medical help from the best thoracic surgeon in Mumbai.
Common Causes of Chronic Cough
There are a variety of things that can cause a chronic cough, and in many instances, the causes can be multifactorial. Among the most typical reasons are:
Postnasal Drip (Upper Airway Cough Syndrome, UACS)
It happens when the nasal passage or sinuses secrete excessively thick fluids that trickle at the back of the throat. This leads to coughing due to the activation of the cough reflex and results in chronic cough. It often leads to persistent coughs, which may be lasting for a long time.
Asthma
There is always a seasonal variation with cough in asthma, or it follows a respiratory infection. For some people, asthma results in a persistent cough when they breathe in cold air, scents, or certain chemicals at the workplace.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
GERD is a disease where the acid from the stomach reaches the oesophagus, thereby inflaming it. This leads to chronic coughing, which makes the acid reflux worse, thus creating a vicious cycle.
Infections
Coughing can last long after signs of an infection, such as pneumonia, flu, or the common cold, have disappeared. Additionally, long-term persistence of the condition may be caused by critical diseases such as tuberculosis, fungal pulmonary infections, or infections by nontuberculous mycobacteria.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Chronic bronchitis and emphysema compose COPD, and this usually keeps the lungs inflamed, thus making it hard for air to pass through. However, chronic bronchitis, for example, involves a cough that is associated with coloured mucus.
Blood Pressure Medications
Some of the drugs that cause chronic coughs in patients include HBP and HF drugs, which are under the class of known ACE inhibitors.
Some of the less common symptoms include:
- Aspiration: the inhalation of liquid or food particles into the lungs
- Bronchiectasis
- Bronchiolitis
- Cystic fibrosis
- Laryngopharyngeal reflux
- Lung cancer
- Nonasthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis
- Sarcoidosis
- Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
When to See a Chest Specialist?
If a cough lasts for a few weeks, then you ought to seek a healthcare provider. Based on the presenting features and history, the doctor may order some investigations to try to get an aetiology of the chronic cough. These tests could include:
- Acid reflux Test to check levels of acid in the oesophagus.
- A lung function test called spirometry estimates the activity of your lungs.
- Endoscopy is a procedure where a lighted instrument is used to examine the oesophagus, stomach, and small intestine.
- Pulmonary function tests, which help the doctor identify whether your lungs work or not.
- X-rays/CT scans.
- Allergy tests to establish which environmental factors may be causing an allergic reaction.
You should also seek medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms in addition to your cough:
- Coughing up blood or phlegm
- Fever higher than 101°F (38.33°C)
- Unexplained weight loss
- Night sweats
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty swallowing
- Changes in your voice
Conclusion
Cough can simply be annoying, or it can be a symptom of a serious health condition. In adults, if you have a cough for more than eight weeks, and in children for more than four weeks, medical help should be sought to find out the cause.
Contact Dr. Amol Bhanushali, a well-known chest specialist in Thane, who will help you identify the root cause and get the right treatment so that you can go back to enjoying your healthy, comfortable life.