Chronic cough is a common condition that affects a large portion of the world’s population, and it has major impacts on the quality of life of the affected person, as it can be debilitating and disruptive to daily activities. In addition, a chronic cough can lead to a range of complications, including fatigue, sleep disturbances, and social isolation.
Increasing cases of chronic cough
According to recent studies, the prevalence of chronic cough is on the rise, with an increasing number of individuals reporting symptoms of chronic cough. This can be attributed to various factors, including environmental pollutants, respiratory infections, smoking, and underlying medical conditions such as asthma, allergies, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The prevalence of chronic cough is higher in some populations, such as smokers, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory diseases, according to a study in the journal Asia Pac Allergy in October 2021.
Estimates of the prevalence of chronic cough have ranged from 2 percent to 18 percent. Smoking, asthma, obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), upper airway cough syndrome (UACS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD), and low level of education are among the most common factors associated with chronic cough, according to the National Library of Medicine. ).
In the past, chronic cough was considered merely a symptom or consequence of other chronic disorders. Consequently, less attention has been paid to chronic cough itself. However, it is now considered a pathological condition in its own right that differs significantly from the intrinsic functions of the lower airways in the lungs to react and protect them from suffocation.
In the 2000s, the concept of “cough hypersensitivity syndrome” was proposed and endorsed by the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Task Force. These views were adopted in the Society’s recent cough guidelines, which defined chronic cough as a special clinical syndrome characterized by hypersensitivity of the cough reflex, especially in adults. Which led to the development of more effective diagnostic and treatment options.
Symptoms and diagnosis:
Chronic cough can occur with other signs and symptoms, which may include:
– Runny or stuffy nose.
– A feeling of fluid running down the back of the throat (postnasal drip).
– Frequent throat clearing and sore throat.
– Hoarseness.
– Wheezing and shortness of breath.
– Heartburn or a sour taste in your mouth.
– Coughing up blood, in rare cases.
As for diagnosing chronic cough and determining its cause, the doctor requires a physical examination and asking about the symptoms. He may also recommend diagnostic tests, which can include laboratory tests to determine whether bacteria are present in the blood or sputum, according to Cleveland doctors.
Causes of chronic cough
If you’ve been suffering from a cough for weeks, but you’re not sure if it’s just your illness, you probably have a chronic cough, says Dr. Ronald Lubelchek, an infectious disease specialist and president of Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois.
Chronic cough, defined by the American Lung Association (ALA), is a cough that lasts more than eight weeks. Chronic cough has different possible causes.
Here are more of the most common causes of chronic cough, and what you can do about them.
1. Asthma and allergies: A chronic disease that affects the lungs, causing recurring attacks (known as asthma attacks) of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing during the night or early in the morning, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is one of the most common diseases that affects children, but it can also affect adults.
But you don’t have to have asthma to be affected by airborne irritants. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, between 40 and 60 million Americans suffer from allergic rhinitis, known as “hay fever,” which causes coughing with other symptoms such as stuffy nose and sneezing. Common triggers for hay fever include pollen, dust, and pet dander.
You can determine if a cough is due to allergies by tracking whether it comes and goes in certain situations. If your cough magically stops when you walk into an air-conditioned room on a dry, pollen-laden day, or if it gets worse every time you’re near a cat, you probably have an allergy. If you’re not sure what’s causing your allergic cough, your caregiver can do a skin test or blood test to identify allergies.
2. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): This is a term that covers two main conditions – emphysema and chronic bronchitis, according to the National Institutes of Health.
In emphysema, the walls between many air sacs are damaged. As a result, the air sacs lose their shape and become flexible. This damage can also destroy the walls of the air sacs, resulting in fewer and larger air sacs instead of many small sacs. If this happens, the amount of gas exchange in the lungs decreases.
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, smoking is the leading cause of COPD. Other causes of COPD include long-term exposure to air pollution, chemical fumes, and other lung irritants.
3. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), GERD affects people of all ages, from infants to the elderly, and people with asthma are more susceptible to this disorder. This is because asthma attacks can cause the lower esophageal sphincter to relax, allowing stomach contents to flow back into the esophagus.
The academy recommends various lifestyle changes to help relieve GERD symptoms (including a bad cough), such as raising the head of the bed by 6 to 8 inches, losing weight, stopping smoking, drinking less alcohol, restricting portion sizes, and avoiding overdosing. Heavy and evening meals, and reduce caffeine intake.
Infection and contamination
4. Respiratory infection: Cough is one of the most common symptoms of colds, influenza, and other respiratory infections. Other symptoms associated with colds and flu, such as stuffy nose and fever, are telltale signs that a viral infection is causing the cough, according to the US National Library of Medicine.
Pneumonia is treated with antibiotics and generally goes away within two or three weeks. However, pneumonia does not usually result in a cough lasting more than eight weeks, with patients generally seeking help from their healthcare provider eight weeks before symptoms appear and/or improving on their own before that.
5. Air pollution: Various pollutants and irritants present in the air can cause persistent coughing. Even short-term exposure to fumes (such as diesel exhaust) can lead to coughing, phlegm, and lung irritation. The fumes can also aggravate allergy or asthma symptoms.
Likewise, mold spores found in and around homes can cause wheezing and coughing when inhaled. Following Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans authorities reported a sudden increase in persistent cough complaints among returning residents. According to a 2011 study published in Public Health Reports, the so-called “Katrina cough” is believed to stem from mold caused by flooding, as well as by the city’s dry weather and construction dust.
pharmaceutical
6. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are widely used to treat heart failure and high blood pressure, and often cause a persistent dry cough, according to the AAAI. According to a study conducted in January 2019 and published in the Turkish Thoracic Journal, one in five patients stopped using ACE inhibitors due to side effects, the most important of which is chronic cough. However, why these medications lead to coughing is not yet well understood.
You should never stop taking prescribed medications without consulting your healthcare provider, and ACE inhibitors are important medications for lowering blood pressure (a more serious condition than coughing). If you think your chronic cough is related to a medication you’re taking, see your healthcare provider and see if you have options.
7. Whooping cough: It is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by Bordetella bacteria, according to the CDC. Common symptoms include a slight fever, runny nose, and especially a violent cough that can make breathing difficult. Trying to breathe air into the lungs between bouts of coughing can produce a characteristic high-pitched whooping sound. After the initial phase, many people do not have a fever, but the cough associated with whooping cough can last for several weeks.
The best way to protect against whooping cough is to get vaccinated, the Centers for Disease Control says. Although the vaccine is not 100 percent effective, if you do get sick after vaccination, it usually isn’t as bad.
8. Chronic smoking: People who smoke often develop a cough resulting from the body’s natural response to getting rid of chemicals that enter the bronchi and lungs through tobacco use. In this case, the chronic cough is often known as smoker’s cough, according to the Centers for Disease Control. It may start as a dry cough but may eventually produce phlegm.
A 2016 study published in the Journal of Medicine looked at the prevalence of chronic cough and possible causes in the general population. The study, based on the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which included 119,280 adults over the age of 40, found that 47.7 percent of participants with chronic cough were current smokers.
Of course, the easiest way to get rid of a smoker’s cough is to quit smoking, and if you need help with that, you can be pointed in the right direction.
Environmental pollutants, respiratory infections, and smoking are among its causes
treatment
Treatment for chronic cough usually involves treating the underlying cause of the cough, as well as relieving symptoms.
Common treatment options include medications, such as cough suppressants, bronchodilators, and inhaled corticosteroids, as well as lifestyle modifications, such as quitting smoking, avoiding triggers, and practicing good hygiene. In some cases, more advanced treatments may be needed, such as speech therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and surgical interventions.
It is important for individuals with a chronic cough to seek medical care for proper evaluation and diagnosis. Health care professionals can perform a comprehensive evaluation, including a physical examination, review of medical history, and diagnostic tests, to determine the underlying cause of the cough and develop an appropriate treatment plan. It is essential that individuals communicate openly with their healthcare provider about their symptoms, concerns, and treatment preferences to achieve the best outcomes.
Finally, chronic cough is a prevalent and debilitating condition that can significantly impact a person’s quality of life. New studies have expanded our understanding of the basic mechanisms of chronic cough and have led to the development of more effective diagnostic and therapeutic options. By seeking timely medical attention and working closely with healthcare professionals, individuals with chronic cough can effectively manage their symptoms and improve their overall health. It is important for individuals to be proactive in treating chronic cough and prioritize respiratory health.
* Community medicine consultant
2024-03-08 16:13:19
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