Chronic Cough: Analyze What's Going on
A chronic cough is a cough that lasts for more than eight weeks. It can be a frustrating and debilitating condition, and it can have a significant impact on your quality of life.
Causes of Chronic Cough
There are many different causes of chronic cough, including:
Post-nasal drip: This is the most common cause of chronic cough. Post-nasal drip occurs when mucus from your nose drips down the back of your throat, causing irritation and coughing.
Asthma: Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways. This can lead to coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): COPD is a group of lung diseases that cause airflow limitation. This can lead to coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): GERD is a condition in which stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing irritation and inflammation. This can lead to coughing, heartburn, and regurgitation.
Certain medications: Some medications, such as ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers, can cause chronic cough.
Other medical conditions: Other medical conditions, such as bronchitis, pneumonia, and tuberculosis, can also cause chronic cough.
Diagnosing Chronic Cough
Your doctor will diagnose chronic cough based on your medical history, a physical examination, and a variety of tests. These tests may include:
Chest X-ray: This test can help to rule out other medical conditions, such as pneumonia and tuberculosis.
Spirometry: This test measures how much air you can breathe in and out of your lungs. It can help to diagnose asthma and COPD.
Pharyngolaryngoscopy: This test involves examining the back of your throat and vocal cords. It can help to diagnose post-nasal drip and other conditions that can cause chronic cough.
Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: This test involves inserting a thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end into your esophagus and stomach. It can help to diagnose GERD and other conditions that can cause chronic cough.
Treatment for Chronic Cough
The treatment for chronic cough depends on the underlying cause. In some cases, no treatment is necessary. For example, if your chronic cough is caused by a cold or the flu, it will usually go away on its own within a few weeks.
However, if your chronic cough is caused by an underlying medical condition, you will need to treat the underlying condition in order to get rid of the cough. For example, if your chronic cough is caused by asthma, you will need to take medication to control your asthma.
Here are some general tips for treating chronic cough:
Get plenty of rest: When you are sick, your body needs time to heal. Make sure to get plenty of rest so that your immune system can fight off the infection.
Drink plenty of fluids: Fluids help to thin mucus and keep your throat moist. Drink plenty of fluids, such as water, juice, or soup, to help relieve your cough.
Use a humidifier: A humidifier adds moisture to the air, which can help to soothe a dry, scratchy throat.
Gargle with salt water: Gargling with salt water can help to kill bacteria and soothe a sore throat.
Avoid smoking: Smoking irritates the throat and lungs, and it can worsen a chronic cough.
See a doctor if your cough persists: If your chronic cough persists for more than a few weeks, or if it is accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, shortness of breath, or chest pain, see a doctor.
Prevention of Chronic Cough
There are a number of things you can do to prevent chronic cough, including:
Get vaccinated: Get vaccinated against the flu and pneumonia. These vaccines can help to prevent these infections, which can lead to chronic cough.
Quit smoking: Smoking irritates the throat and lungs, and it can worsen a chronic cough.
Wash your hands frequently: Wash your hands frequently with soap and water to prevent the spread of germs.
Avoid contact with sick people: Avoid contact with people who are sick, especially if you have a weakened immune system.
See a doctor if you have a chronic cough: If you have a chronic cough, see a doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions.
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