Definition of Chronic CoughChronic cough is a cough that does not disappear. Chronic cough is not a disease itself, evidently it is a symptom of other diseases. He is a common problem and cause for the many visits to the doctor.
The causes of chronic cough
Some common causes of chronic cough include asthma, allergic rhinitis, sinus problems (eg sinus infections), and jetting back into the esophagus (esophageal reflux) of stomach contents. In rare events, chronic cough may be the result of the exploitation of foreign objects into the lungs (usually in children). It is very important to obtain a chest x-ray if a chronic cough is present. Here's the offending patients who have chest x-ray normal.
* Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of chronic cough.
* Asthma is a disease of the airways, resulting in difficulty breathing or wheezing that is often characterized by breathing tests are abnormal. Some asthma sufferers have a chronic cough as their only symptom. They may even have lung function tests are normal. This often referred to as a cough-variant asthma. The symptoms of asthma can be exacerbated by cold air, exposure to pollutants (impurities) of air or pollen (pollen), smoke, or scented oils.
* Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) refers to the reflux, or jetting back, the stomach acid and other contents into the esophagus. If stomach acid moves back up into the esophagus, reflexes results in spasms of the airways that can cause shortness of breath and coughing. In some instances, reflux (back flux) can become so severe that the materials can be inhaled into the lungs and cause similar symptoms as well as damage to lung tissue. In some individuals, there is no burning sensation in the chest (heartburn) and felt their only symptom may be a cough.
* Issues sinuses and postnasal drip can cause chronic cough. This condition can be difficult to detect. Sometimes a CT scan of the sinuses is necessary for diagnosis. Patients often complain of "scratchy feeling in their throat" and clear the throat frequently.
* Infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia can cause coughing. Infections can be caused by viruses, bacteria or fungi. Viral infections do not respond to antibiotics. In patients with asthma, infections, upper respiratory viral infections often result in a prolonged cough even after the infection has disappeared.
* Certain medications, especially ace inhibitors. Being used to treat high blood pressure, can cause chronic cough.
* The causes are less common can also include tumors, sarcoidosis or other lung diseases.
Chronic cough lasts longer if the patient should be evaluated by a doctor. It is important to exclude; asthma, postnasal drip, esophageal reflux, medication side effects, interstitial lung disease, or infections are not more common.
Cough treatment is determined by the cause. However, patients may obtain symptomatic release of the drug-free prescription cough medicine containing guaifenesin and / or dextromethorphan, drink plenty of water, inhaling steam, and using cough medicine in the form of tablets (lozenges). In severe cases doctors may prescribe codeine, which is an effective cough suppressant.
* Asthma: inhaled bronchodilators and inhaled steroids are given to reduce inflammation of the airways. In some cases, oral steroids are prescribed short-term.
* Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Treatment includes avoiding foods that increase reflux (backflow), avoid eating before lying down, raise the head when sleeping, and taking medications such as famotidine (Pepcid), cimetidine (Tagamet), or ranitidine (Zantac) to decrease gastric acidity.
* Issues sinuses and postnasal drip: The use of decongestants such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) or antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) may improve the symptoms of postnasal drip. Steroid nasal-inhaled steroid is very effective in treating allergic rhinitis (hay fever because of allergies or hay fever), a common cause of cough. Additionally, inhalers, nasal inhalers such as ipratropium bromide (Atrovent) can relieve postnasal drip. Antibiotics may be prescribed if the cause is determined is sinusitis.
* Infections: Bacterial pneumonia and bronchitis is typically treated with antibiotics such as cephalosporins and azithromycin (Zithromax). If pneumonia on the chest wall near the trade of the surface of the lung can cause pain, known as pleurisy and analgesics can be useful. Suppressant cough-suppressant used with caution in these situations because clearing mucus from the lungs infected with the coughing helps clear the infection.
Most of bronchitis in adults is from a viral infection; therefore, treatment is almost equal to that of the common cold include rest, fluids, analgesics, and wetting. Some people find medications that contain guaifenesin cough expectorant useful in reducing their discomfort. Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish from bronchitis bacterial bronchitis virus, and antibiotics are prescribed. In some cases, asmatik-asmatik can produce a green slime that looks infected. Your doctor can check the mucus to determine whether infection is present.
* Medications: Patients who are taking blood pressure medications called ace inhibitors (angiotensin converting enzyme) [for example, enalapril (Vasotec), captopril (Capoten), lisinopril (Zestril, Prinivil), etc..] Have to talk to their doctors about changing medications. They should not discontinue their medications because their will upon the striking rise once may result from the termination. The newer generation of ace inhibitors such as medicines called ARB's (angiotensin receptor blockers), [for example, valsartan (Diovan), losartan (Cozaar), etc..] May be alternatives that have the potential less to cause cough chronic. There is a large group of other medications available to control blood pressure.
* Do not smoke, because smoking is the most common cause of chronic cough.
* Talk to your doctor about controlling asthma, a runny nose (postnasal drip), or GERD you to avoid the symptoms of cough.
* Keep your distance from others who know pain bronchitis or pneumonia.
* Eat fruit. Research suggests that diets high in fiber and fruit flavonoids may prevent a chronic productive cough.
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Useful cough information
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