If a person has a cough that lasts longer than eight weeks or a child has a cough that lasts four weeks or longer, this is what is known as a chronic cough. Severe chronic cough cases can cause rib fractures, vomiting, and lightheadedness. There are several factors that can cause a chronic cough. For proper treatment, the cause of chronic cough must be found. There are several symptoms that define a chronic cough. Coughing may be mild to severe and may come and go during the day. A person’s nose may alternate between running and feeling stuffy. Some feel postnasal drip. This is where a person will feel liquid running down the back of their throat. Due to coughing, the throat may be sore. This pain can be mild to severe. A person with a chronic cough may feel like they have trouble getting enough air into their body. A person who suffers from a chronic cough may experience heartburn along with a sour taste in the mouth. In some cases, coughing can cause blood to come up. There are many potential causes of chronic cough.
1 - Allergies and Asthma
Asthma can cause chronic cough along with chest tightness, shortness of breath, and wheezing. This is one of the most common reasons for a chronic cough. It may be triggered by various things like exercise and certain foods. Allergies can also cause a chronic cough. Allergic rhinitis or hay fever is a strong source of coughing, sneezing, and stuffy nose.
2 - COPD
COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a name for the conditions of emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Both of these conditions cause the lining of the airway to be irritated and inflamed. This causes issues with breathing and can lead to a chronic cough.
3 - GERD
GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease is a disorder where fluids, stomach acid, and foods back up into the esophagus. This is due to a weak valve, and it can cause severe heartburn. Coughing as well as chest pain, and wheezing are common.
4 - Respiratory Tract Infection
Coughing is a common sign of having colds or the flu. These infections interfere with normal breathing and can be the cause of a chronic cough. Most people think that as soon as they start to feel better, the cough should be gone. This will all depend on the severity of the cold or flu. A person could be coughing several months after they have had a cold or flu. This is especially true if pneumonia sets in, which is a severe lung infection that will need antibiotics and a doctor’s care.
5 - Air Pollution
Irritants in the air can cause a chronic cough. Even if a person is just exposed to an irritant for a short amount of time, it can cause a chronic cough. Fumes like from that of a diesel exhaust can have a person dealing with a cough and lung irritation. Mold spores can also cause coughing and other symptoms.
6 - Ace Inhibitors
If a person is on ACE inhibitors for hypertension or high blood pressure, they can cause a chronic dry cough. It is thought that this is caused by an increase of bradykinin. This substance is broken down by the body and left in the respiratory tract, which is thought to cause some irritation.
7 - Smoking
When a person smokes, they typically develop a chronic cough. This is due to the body trying to get rid of all the chemicals that enter the body when a person is smoking. This is known as a smoker’s cough and can be dry, but in some cases, it can produce phlegm. This cough will not go away until the person stops smoking.
8 - Whooping Cough
This is a severe respiratory illness that is highly contagious. The symptoms of this virus include a runny nose, violent cough, and fever. When a person tries to breathe, this causes a very high-pitched whooping sound. Unfortunately, whooping cough can last for several weeks, and the cough may last much longer. There is a vaccine that can help prevent a person from coming down with this condition.