We refer to a cough that lasts more than three weeks and that never ceases to end. The cough is a reflex that that our body uses as a defence mechanism to expel or clean foreign bodies from our airways. If the cough becomes a chronic cough, it would not be normal and it would be warning us that there is something wrong.
The cough can present itself as part of acute pathologies that would be generally infectious and of a short duration. We will be analysing the persistent and chronic cough within this article, as it is a symptom of many pathologies that need to be diagnosed as soon as possible.
CAUSES OF THE CHRONIC COUGH
1. ASTHMA
Asthma is a disease that produces an inflammation and reversible obstruction of the bronchial tubes. It is characterised by the presence of a certain type of cough that is predominantly dry, nightly and accompanied by respiratory difficulties. It is usually produced by an allergy to pollen, fungi, animal hairs, foods, vasomotor alterations, etc.
2. CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease covers three types of pathologies and they are: chronic bronchitis, emphysema and long-term asthma in people that have been smokers. This disease is due to the permanent and irreversible inflammation of the bronchial tubes. It is usually caused by tobacco and produces a cough every morning and different amounts of sputum.
3. GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX
Gastroesophageal reflux is the way in which gastric contents travel through the oesophagus and produce a feeling of heartburn or burning in the throat, mouth or retrosternal.
This acid usually produces laryngeal irritation that causes a commonly dry and persistent cough. Gastroesophageal reflux can only present this cough as an only symptom without being aware that the reflux is present.
4. POSTNASAL DRIP
Postnasal dripping is the constant presence of mucus within the throat. This dripping is caused by inflammatory processes in the nose (Rhinitis) and in the mucous membrane that surrounds the sinuses (Sinusitis).
5. CHRONIC LARYNGITIS
Inflammation of the larynx that lasts more than three weeks, results in a dry cough that is usually accompanied by hoarseness, that is commonly due to the misuse of the voice, the presence of nodules on the vocal chords or irritants such as tobacco, alcohol, gastroesophageal reflux.
6. TUBERCULOSIS
Tuberculosis is a pulmonary infection that is produced by Koch’s bacillus and which the main symptoms are: a chronic cough with sputum of blood, fever, tiredness, night sweats, etc.
7. LUNG CANCER
Lung cancer usually does not have any initial symptoms, but a recent cough that lasts more than three weeks, or an existing cough that changes intensity or tone, or that simply has the presence of blood in the sputum, would alert us of this pathology.
OTHERS
Cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, cardiac failure, parasites such as worms and pharmaceuticals to treat hypertension such as captopril etc. are other pathologies that will produce a cough that is not as frequent.
Lastly, we want to remind people that when faced with the presence of a cough that lasts for more than three weeks, then medical assistance should be sought out in order to obtain a diagnosis as quickly as possible.
Dr. J. Hurtado Martínez
Medical Director of HealthSalus
Cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, cardiac failure, parasites such as worms and pharmaceuticals to treat hypertension such as captopril etc. are other pathologies that will produce a cough that is not as frequent.
Lastly, we want to remind people that when faced with the presence of a cough that lasts for more than three weeks, then medical assistance should be sought out in order to obtain a diagnosis as quickly as possible.
Dr. J. Hurtado Martínez
Medical Director of HealthSalus
