Ever since Covid-19, many have been afraid to cough in public. The reality is that before Covid, coughing was a symptom of many other diseases or infections. So, while you should follow the guidelines on how to cough when you’re around others, you don’t need to be afraid to cough in public.
We cough from time to time to clear the mucus and other foreign particles from our lungs; this helps to prevent infection. In addition, we also cough when we are ill or have inflammation. So, when you hear people saying that you shouldn’t hold your cough in, this is important. Let it out in the most respectful manner, and ensure that you cover your mouth and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer. So, now that we have established that coughing is normal, when should you start to be concerned about it, and how do you know it’s a chronic cough?
Chronic Cough: What Is It?
For the most part, your cough should be short-lived if you are ill or not ill. Medically a chronic cough is a cough that lasts more than 8 weeks or more. These coughs can be intense or not, but the main thing is that the cough persists and doesn’t leave.
Difference Between A Chronic Cough And A Regular Cough
If you have a cold or the flu, your cough should last a couple of days or weeks. It might initially start intense, but your cough should be less severe as you get better and eventually go away. If you just have a regular cough, then those aren’t extensive. You may cough once or twice and feel immediate relief, but the cough won’t return.
The main difference between a regular cough and a chronic cough is the intensity and how long your cough stays. If you continually cough back-to-back without any obvious cause, you might have a chronic cough. These coughs can have an impact on your everyday life and be frustrating because they may keep you up at night or distract you from work and take you away from social events.
What Causes Chronic Cough
We know regular coughs help clear our lungs, but what causes chronic coughs? The truth is that there is no one thing that causes chronic cough. In fact, there is a list of causes, and the cause for each person differs. Here are some of the causes of chronic cough:
- Asthma: A common cause of chronic cough is asthma. This is the #1 cause of chronic cough in kids and the #2 cause for adults. An asthma cough is essentially a way for the body to get air. When it comes to an asthma cough, various things can trigger it, including infections, allergies, smoke, exercise, and more.
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): GERD is a stomach condition that weakens the muscles around your lower esophagus and stomach and brings acid into your esophagus instead of your stomach. When you breathe in, this irritates your lungs and causes a chronic cough.
- Chronic Bronchitis & COPD: This is a condition in which a person’s airways are always irritated. Because of this, they always cough and may even have phlegm.
- Lung Cancer: A chronic cough can sometimes be a sign of lung cancer. This is not always the case but can be for those with a family history of lung cancer or past smokers.
- ACE Inhibitors: ACE Inhibitors are a blood pressure medication that can often cause chronic dry cough.
What Can You Do About Your Chronic Cough
If someone has a chronic cough or thinks they have it, they first need to visit their doctor. A doctor should always confirm your suspicions, and you shouldn’t self-diagnose. They will analyze your cough, ask you some questions, and maybe do some lung imaging; then, they’ll diagnose accordingly.
Once you’re diagnosed, they’ll tell you what you can do to treat it. If you are using an ACE inhibitor, they’ll probably change your medication and see if that helps. You can also do things on your own to manage it.
- Try drinking a lot of water or juice. The extra fluid can help to loosen any mucus you have. Also, try drinking warm liquids to soothe your throat.
- If acid reflux is causing your cough, then try eating 2 to 3 hours before bed.
- Use a cool mist humidifier. Adding moisture to the air using a humidifier can help soothe your airways. You can also try taking a hot shower and breathing in the steam.
- Use a cough drop or cough lozenge. These candies prevent excessive coughing and soothe sore throat pain by lubricating the throat.
It’s always best to speak to your doctor before self-medicating. These “home remedies” may or may not work. If your cough persists, you can consider joining a clinical trial. Clinical trials are a way to get the latest medications before they get to the market and are very safe. Doctors in the clinical trial will ensure you have a chronic cough before treatment and follow the necessary procedures. You might find that the new technology in the clinical trial helps, and your cough is gone. For more information, contact AIH Research.
Now that you know what a chronic cough is and how to know if you have it, you don’t have to be stuck with your chronic cough. Visit your doctor soon, and try some of the remedies above.
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Disclaimer: This blog provides general information and discussions about health-related topics. If you or any other person has a medical concern, you should consult your healthcare provider and seek professional medical treatment. Some of the information and content in this blog has linked materials. The links should and are not intended to be construed as medical advice and should not be supplemented as medical advice. If you think you may have a medical emergency, locate emergency services or dial 911.
