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What Causes A Persistent Cough

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The most known cause for a cough is a cold or flu but there are many things that can cause a persistent cough.

The most known cause for a cough is a cold or flu but there are many things that can cause a persistent cough. Viral infections are the most common cause of acute cough, particularly in children.

Other possible causes of recurrent cough in children include asthma, bronchiectasis, or even cystic fibrosis; some of these conditions allow frequent viral infections and thus recurrent cough.

A cough could also be a different infectious respiratory condition such as whooping cough, or a sign of a chronic lung condition like emphysema or COPD, or even lung cancer.

Whooping cough is uncommon in infants due to vaccination but is surprisingly common in adults because vaccination wears off and is often undiagnosed.

Chronic cough can be caused by a variety of conditions. In adults, it is often caused by:

  • chronic bronchitis
  • COPD
  • smoker's cough
  • GERD
  • postnasal drip
  • asthma
  • allergies
  • or even just habitual coughing.

Underlying asthma, allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, GERD, and enlarged adenoids are all possibilities with recurrent or chronic cough. Also possible is cancer or tuberculosis.

The following medical conditions are some of the possible causes of Cough.

  • Common cold
  • Flu
  • Respiratory infection
  • Bronchitis
  • Pneumonia
  • Viral infection
  • Bacterial infection
  • Fungal infection
  • Asthma
  • Wheezing
  • Inhaled irritant
  • Allergies
  • Postnasal drip
  • Gastric reflux
  • Exposure to noxious gases
  • Inhaled foreign body
  • Cigarette smoke
  • Bronchiectasis
  • Carcinoma
  • Bronchopneumonia (a type of Pneumonia)
  • Pulmonary tuberculosis
  • Lung fibrosis

These are just a few of the conditions that can cause a cough. If you are experiencing a chronic cough or dry cough you should speak to your doctor so you can treat the correct problem and not just the cough.

 

Remedies for a Chronic Cough

When you have a cold, allergy, or bronchitis you may also have an annoying, nagging cough. When these types of cough occur, you want to find something quick to stop them. Your first instinct will probably be to reach for the traditional medicines; the cold pills and the cough drops.

These cough remedies may work at first but if a cough persists you may need to try different methods to help calm your cough. Here are a few tips that may naturally help calm your chronic cough.

  1. Take a hot shower. Make it a long one and breathe in the steam. It will help to moisturize your throat.
  2. Raise your head, especially while sleeping.
  3. Do not over do it on the cough medicine. Taking too much of it can cause a drying effect. Instead, try hard candy. It will moisturize your throat and mouth.
  4. Drink more liquids. They will also help to break up any mucous in your system making your cough more productive.
  5. Use a vaporizer while sleeping.
  6. Drinking tea is always a favorite choice, especially when one has a cough and a cold. This tea will help open your airways and moisturize your throat.
  7. Stop smoking and stay away from other smokers. The smoke will dry your throat more causing you to cough more.
  8. Take some vitamins, especially A, C, and E.
  9. Peppermint candy and teas are also very good at helping to stop one's cough.
  10. Try mixing a bit t of honey to carrot juice. Then drink a few sips of this throughout the day.
  11. Of course, chamomile tea and grape juice with a dash of honey are also good drinks to sip on while you have a cough.

Remember a cough isn't just an annoyance. It can be a sign that something is seriously wrong, especially if it is ongoing. Then you should see a doctor.

Next Article: Remedies for Dry Cough