Causes of persistent cough

A persistent cough can be caused by an illness such as a respiratory infection, acid reflux, or air pollution or smoking.

There are many causes of persistent cough, which can become chronic, causing discomfort and affecting the patient's life.

Acid reflux: This condition causes stomach contents to flow back up into the esophagus. Typically, the disease mainly causes heartburn, but some cases can also cause persistent cough accompanied by wheezing. The acid components when refluxed will pass through the esophagus, irritate the throat area leading to coughing.

Respiratory tract infections: Coughing is one of the most common symptoms of colds, flu, and other respiratory infections that interfere with normal breathing. Other symptoms that accompany colds and flu include nasal congestion and fever, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Coughing can last longer than other symptoms because the airways in the lungs remain sensitive and inflamed.

A more serious respiratory infection is pneumonia, which can be caused by bacteria or viruses. In this case, the cough often produces green or rust-colored mucus along with fever, chills, chest pain, weakness, and fatigue; symptoms vary depending on age.

Cough after a viral infection: A persistent cough after a viral upper respiratory infection. This is caused by the airways overreacting to the virus. This may also be due to the smooth muscle tissue lining the airways trapping irritants in the throat.

A persistent cough can be caused by a respiratory infection. Photo: Freepik

Severe allergies: Airborne irritants cause seasonal respiratory allergies in some people, which can be accompanied by a persistent cough. This condition is common in people with asthma, who often use inhaled steroids to control symptoms.

Whooping cough: This is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the bacterium bordetella pertussis. Common symptoms include a mild fever, runny nose, and a severe cough that makes it difficult to breathe. In the early stages, the patient has no fever but a mild cough that can last for several weeks. Vaccination can prevent whooping cough in young children.

Poor air quality: People who live near air pollution and have respiratory systems sensitive to irritants may develop a persistent cough. On days when the air quality is poor, patients should limit their time outdoors, especially in the early morning when it is cold. Use a good quality mask, avoid crowded areas, and exercise indoors instead of outdoors.

Smoking: Smokers often cough as a natural response of the body to remove chemicals from the cigarette that have entered the airways and lungs. It may start as a dry cough, then be accompanied by phlegm. Quitting smoking can help.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smoking is also the leading cause of lung cancer. Patients with persistent cough, worsening cough, chest pain, difficulty breathing or coughing up blood should see a doctor soon.

People with chronic cough of unknown cause should see a specialist to determine the disease and appropriate treatment.

Bao Bao (According to The Healthy, Health )

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