Having an occasional cough is normal, however, if your cough is chronic, then you need to seek medical help to keep yourself and others around you safe. Cough is a body reflex that tries to get off something that should not be there, particularly mucus. A normal cough is not harmful but if it lasts longer than normal and gets worse over time then you develop a chronic cough. Learn what triggers and causes chronic cough and when you seek medical help for chronic cough in this article. Contact the best pulmonologist in Brooklyn by visiting Doral Health and Wellness Pulmonary Center.

Causes, triggers, and risk factors for chronic cough

Chronic cough can be caused by more than one medical condition and factors. Here are the causes that alone or in combination, cause the majority of chronic cough cases:

• Postnasal drip: This happens when your nose or sinuses produce extra mucus, which causes chronic dripping from the back of the nose to the throat. It typically happens with a recent infection or continuous exposure to an allergy trigger. This condition is also known as upper airway cough syndrome (UACS).
• Asthma: Asthma-related cough may come and go with the seasons, appear after an upper respiratory tract infection, or become worse if you get exposed to cold air or certain chemicals or fragrances. In the cough-variant asthma type, cough is your main symptom.
• Gastro-esophageal reflux (GERD): This digestive disorder happens when stomach acid flows back into the tube that connects your stomach and throat which causes heartburn and chronic coughing. The coughing then worsens GERD creating a vicious cycle.
• Infections: Infections that affect your nose and throat are the most common cause that leads to coughing along with other respiratory tract illness symptoms. They are generally linked with fevers, sore throat, and runny nose. They are mostly caused by viruses and include the common cold and viral laryngitis. Fungal infections of the lung, Tuberculosis, or lung infection with nontuberculous mycobacterial organisms also cause chronic cough.
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): This is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that happens when airflow to the lungs gets blocked. It is caused due to chronic infections like chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Chronic bronchitis causes a cough that brings up colored sputum while emphysema causes shortness of breath and damages the air sacs in the lungs.
• Blood pressure drugs: Certain blood pressure medications like angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, prescribed for high blood pressure and heart failure people, cause chronic cough in some people.

Many common triggers can cause chronic cough, including:

• Viral infections
• Allergies
• Inhalation of irritants
• Other medical conditions like sleep apnea, lung inflammation, and drug side effects

While anyone can develop a cough, some people are more prone to severe symptoms, including:

• People who smoke substances like tobacco or marijuana.
• People who use vape devices.
• Have chronic illnesses, especially if they involve the lungs and nervous system.
• Have
• Children because they stay in situations like daycare or school where infectious substances can easily spread.

Symptoms

A chronic cough is often accompanied by other signs and symptoms, including:

• A runny or stuffy nose.
• A feeling of liquid running down the back of your throat.
• Frequent throat clearing to speak clearly or to breathe.
• Sore throat.
• Wheezing and shortness of breath.
• Coughing up blood (rare).
• Sour taste in the mouth.

When should you go to a doctor?

If your cough stays persistent for 3 weeks or longer without improvement, you should see a doctor. In most cases, nothing serious is found that causes the cough, but in rare cases, a long-term cough can be a sign of something that needs treating such as lung cancer or heart failure. Other reasons you should seek medical help include:

• If the cough gets worse.
• If you develop swelling or lumps in your neck region.
• Weight loss.
• Severe coughing.
• Difficulty swallowing.
• Permanent changes in voice sound.
• Coughing up blood.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Chest pain.
• Fevers that don’t get better.

Coughs are the most common sign of a problem in your body. It indicates an irritation in the lungs or the airway. This irritation can trigger nerves that are connected with our brain to tell our body to try to expel it. A cough is the body’s reflex that tries to get rid of something that is not supposed to be there.

If you have a new cough accompanied by other symptoms like runny nose and congestion, or if you’re having fevers, you can consider wearing a mask and doing a COVID-19 test to ensure you’re keeping everyone safe around you.

If you have any other concerns you should talk to your doctor. Pay close attention to your cough. While most of them are minor, some can make you feel bad. Trying the latest treatment option is tempting, but the best thing is you should take care of yourself with home remedies like rest, drinking fluids, and keeping the air around you moist. Additionally, wash your hands frequently.

Having a cough does not mean something serious, however, if it lasts longer than 3 weeks without improvement and is accompanied by symptoms like trouble breathing, fever, trouble eating or sleeping, or you’re coughing up blood or colored sputum, then you should seek medical help. Mostly infections, irritants, and medical conditions can trigger chronic cough which gets better with treatment. Mostly coughs get better with home remedies but if you don’t get better then seek medical help to keep others safe around you.

Need help with cough or respiratory problems, visit our pulmonary specialists in the Brooklyn clinic to get professional medical help. Call us to book your appointment now or for inquiries!!!!

At Doral Health and Wellness Pulmonary Center, we offer the best possible expertise and care in all aspects of pulmonology. Visit our pulmonologists to have your signs and symptoms checked. To schedule an appointment, you can visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11212, or call us at 1-347-384-5690. You can also visit our website at https://pulmonologistbrooklyn.com.