These aggravated nerve endings then overreact to many other triggers, such as smoke, perfume, or temperature changes, causing an overwhelming urge to cough. They label this condition "neuronal hyper-responsiveness syndrome" and outline several approaches to treatment. Other researchers describe a similar concept at the level of the larynx, a family of disorders under "laryngeal dysfunction syndrome" that can include "laryngeal hyper-responsiveness.
A cough can be triggered by one, a few, or a combination of reasons. If you have a persistent cough, it is important to make an appointment with your healthcare provider to help identify the cause. You may also wonder what questions your practitioner might ask and how your cough can be treated. There really isn't a clear definition of a constant cough, but if you've been living with one you probably don't need a definition.
A constant cough is one that interferes with your day-to-day routine or keeps you from getting a proper night's rest. It may be hard to catch your breath.
It may lead to vomiting. It may leave you feeling totally exhausted. But whether it's needing to speak on the job, attending school, caring for your children, or trying to sleep, constant coughing can clearly get in the way and reduce your quality of life.
Your cough may be dry non-productive or you may cough up phlegm a productive cough. If you do have phlegm, it may be clear, yellow, green, or even blood-tinged. Your cough may occur alone, or you may have noted other symptoms. Sometimes it can be difficult to determine if you have two different symptoms, or if one is related to the other. For example, if you are feeling short of breath, it may be difficult to determine if you are simply finding it hard to catch a good breath between coughing jags, or if you are truly experiencing difficulty breathing unrelated to your cough.
Causes of a constant cough can range from those that are serious to those that are mostly a nuisance. While some causes are more common than others when you add up all of the possible uncommon causes of a constant cough they are actually quite common.
It's also important to note that a cough may be due to a combination of reasons. These are some of the more common causes of an unrelenting cough:. Less common causes of a constant cough include:. If you are experiencing shortness of breath, chest pain , symptoms of blood clots such as redness, swelling, or tenderness in your legs , or if your symptoms are frightening to you, call your healthcare provider or immediately. It's also important to call immediately if you have stridor a high-pitched wheezy sound with breathing in , your cough has a sudden onset, or if you have swelling of your tongue, face, or throat, as these symptoms may signal a medical emergency.
When you see your healthcare provider, the first thing they will do is a careful history and physical. Depending on your history and your exam, other tests may be ordered. Information your healthcare provider may need to know include:. Blood tests : A white blood cell count WBC may be done to look for signs of viral or bacterial infections. Bronchoscopy : A bronchoscopy is a test in which a small tube with a light is inserted through your mouth and into your large airways.
This may be done if your healthcare provider is concerned about a foreign body in your airways from choking or if they are looking for an abnormality such as a tumor. Chest X-ray : A chest X-ray may be done to look for pneumonia as well as other possible causes of coughing. Note that a chest X-ray isn't sufficient to rule out lung cancer, and may miss small tumors.
Computerized tomography CT scan : If your cough persists, or if your healthcare provider is concerned that you may have a serious cause for your cough, she may order a chest CT scan to get a more detailed look at your lungs and the surrounding tissues.
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Post comment. Skip to content. Facebook page opens in new window Instagram page opens in new window Pinterest page opens in new window Linkedin page opens in new window YouTube page opens in new window. Jan 28 In this Article. Author: The Hyfe Mind. Related Posts. November 8, Cough and Lung Cancer November 4, Drug-induced Cough October 28, Coming into contact with these substances can cause a range of symptoms, including:.
In the most severe cases, allergies can cause anaphylaxis , which is the rapid and simultaneous onset of several symptoms. Anaphylaxis can quickly become severe and requires immediate medical attention. In most cases, allergies do not have a cure. The most effective way to deal with an allergy is to avoid triggers. Gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD is a chronic condition wherein stomach acid reaches the esophagus, which is the tube that carries food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach.
The most common symptom is heartburn , or a burning sensation in the throat that can get worse when lying down. Other symptoms of GERD include:. There is no cure for GERD, but a doctor can make lifestyle recommendations that may help control symptoms.
There are also medications available that can reduce discomfort. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD is a type of lung disease that affects breathing. Smoking tobacco is the main cause of COPD. People with COPD can develop other conditions that worsen their symptoms, such as obstructive bronchiolitis or emphysema. Breathing difficulties, including shortness of breath and difficulty exhaling, are the main symptoms of COPD.
It is vital to see a doctor about COPD. Treatment will primarily involve giving up smoking and avoiding exposure to smoke or other irritants. The outlook for a cough that will not go away depends on its cause. A cold can go away with no treatment within 7—10 days.
However, other causes are lifelong conditions that may require ongoing management, such as GERD. It is best to see a doctor if the cough persists for longer than 3 weeks or occurs with other, more serious symptoms, such as coughing up blood. Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining in the bronchial tubes.
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