A cough is a reflex action that helps clear the throat and airways of mucus, irritants, and foreign particles.

However, when the cough persists for more than eight weeks, it is known as chronic cough, which can be a frustrating and distressing symptom that affects your daily life, sleep, work, and social interactions. Chronic cough is a common problem that affects about 10% of the population, and it can be caused by various underlying medical conditions, environmental factors, lifestyle habits, and medications.

In this article, we will explore six reasons behind the uncontrolled symptom of chronic cough and how to manage it.

1. Upper respiratory tract infections

The most common cause of acute cough is upper respiratory tract infections, such as the common cold, flu, sinusitis, or bronchitis. In most cases, the cough resolves within two weeks as the infection clears up.

However, some people may develop a persistent cough that lasts for weeks or even months after the initial illness. This is known as post-infectious cough, which is due to the inflammation and irritation of the airway lining caused by the infection.

If you have post-infectious cough, you may experience other symptoms, such as nasal congestion, sore throat, fatigue, or fever. To manage the cough, you can try over-the-counter cough suppressants, drink plenty of fluids, humidify the air, and rest.

However, if the cough persists for more than eight weeks, you should consult your healthcare provider to rule out other causes.

2. Asthma

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that affects the airways and causes wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and cough.

Asthmatic cough is often worse at night, early in the morning, or during exercise or exposure to allergens or irritants. The cough may also be triggered by laughter, talking, or cold air.

If you have asthma-related cough, you may need to use inhaled corticosteroids, bronchodilators, or other anti-inflammatory medications to control the underlying inflammation and reduce the cough.

You should also avoid your triggers, such as tobacco smoke, dust, pet dander, pollen, or cold air. If you are not sure whether you have asthma, you should see your healthcare provider, who may perform lung function tests, such as spirometry or peak flow measurement.

3. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

GERD is a digestive disorder that occurs when the stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing irritation, inflammation, and burning sensation (heartburn).

However, some people with GERD may not have heartburn but only cough, which is due to the irritation of the nerves that connect the esophagus and the lungs. GERD-related cough is often worse after meals, when lying down, or at night.

If you have GERD-related cough, you should avoid foods and drinks that trigger your symptoms, such as fatty, spicy, or acidic foods, alcohol, coffee, or chocolate.

You may also need to elevate the head of your bed, lose weight if you are overweight, and take antacids, proton-pump inhibitors, or H2 blockers to reduce the acidity of the stomach. If these measures do not help, you should see your healthcare provider, who may perform tests, such as a pH probe or a manometry, to diagnose GERD.

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4. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

COPD is a progressive lung disease that affects the airways and causes breathing difficulties, cough, wheezing, and mucus production. COPD is mainly caused by smoking, but it can also be due to exposure to pollution, fumes, or dust.

COPD-related cough is often chronic and productive, meaning that it produces sputum or phlegm.

If you have COPD-related cough, you should quit smoking and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke, pollution, and dust. You may also need to use bronchodilators, corticosteroids, or oxygen therapy to relieve the symptoms and improve lung function.

If you have severe COPD, you may benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation, which includes exercise, breathing techniques, and lifestyle modifications. You should consult your healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

5. Lung cancer

Lung cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the lung tissue and can spread to other parts of the body. Lung cancer-related cough is often persistent, chronic, and may worsen over time.

The cough may also be accompanied by other symptoms, such as chest pain, weight loss, fatigue, or shortness of breath. However, not all people with lung cancer have cough.

If you have persistent cough along with other symptoms, you should consult your healthcare provider, who may perform tests, such as a chest X-ray, a CT scan, or a biopsy, to confirm or rule out lung cancer.

Early diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer can improve the prognosis and survival rate.

6. Medications

Some medications can cause chronic cough as a side effect, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, which are used to treat high blood pressure or heart failure.

ACE inhibitor-related cough is thought to be due to the accumulation of bradykinin, a chemical that causes the airways to contract and produce cough. The cough may start weeks or months after starting the medication and may resolve within days or weeks after stopping it.

If you have medication-related cough, you should consult your healthcare provider, who may switch you to another medication or adjust the dosage to relieve the cough.

Conclusion

Chronic cough can be a symptom of various underlying medical conditions, environmental factors, lifestyle habits, and medications.

The six reasons behind the uncontrolled symptom of chronic cough include upper respiratory tract infections, asthma, GERD, COPD, lung cancer, and medications. To manage chronic cough, you should consult your healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan, avoid triggers, drink plenty of fluids, humidify the air, rest, and quit smoking.

Early diagnosis and treatment of the underlying cause can improve the outlook and quality of life.