Coughing is normal and allows the body to expel mucus and other irritants of the throat and airways. However, the cough that lasts more than six or eight weeks could be a sign of a problem or underlying disease.
The cough can cause lasting physical problems such as damage to the vocal cords, broken small blood vessels of the airways, fainting, hernias and even broken ribs. Chronic cough may also interfere with the quality of life of the person, interrupting sleep and social activities difficult.
To determine the cause of cough lasting, doctors and removed systematically considered the most likely culprits. In about 90 percent of cases, the underlying reason is the post-nasal drip, asthma or gastroesophageal reflux disease in which stomach acid flows back into the esophagus.
Other less likely causes cough is pertussis (whooping cough or pertussis), pulmonary disorders such as chronic bronchitis or lung cancer, and consumption of inhibitors of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are drugs prescribed to lower blood pressure.
Chronic cough can usually stop treating the underlying cause, but sometimes may be multiple causes. Treatment may include the following:
- Antihistamines and decongestants for allergies for the post-nasal drip.
- Asthma inhalers that decrease inflammation and open the airways.
- Medicines to suppress stomach acid.
- Antibiotics, if you suspect that the cough is caused by a bacterial infection or lung.
Doctors also advise patients not to smoke and avoid second hand smoke because, in addition to causing chronic bronchitis, snuff irritates the lungs and can worsen the cough resulting from other conditions.