Chronic cough

Understanding

A chronic cough is a cough that lasts for a long time. Usually, the coughing period lasts for more than one or two months.

Coughing is basically a symptom of an illness. This condition is the body's reflex to clear the airways from mucus or other irritating triggers - such as dust or smoke. This cough reflex is a normal reaction and a sign that the body is functioning properly.

When a dry cough occurs, the throat usually feels itchy even though there is no phlegm (thick mucus). Whereas phlegm cough means phlegm production which actually functions to clear the airway.

Diagnosis

To determine the diagnosis of chronic cough, the doctor will find out the cause of coughing first. Usually the doctor will ask someone's medical history and do a physical examination.

In addition, to get the results of a more detailed examination can be carried out investigations such as blood tests, allergic tests, X-ray radiology in the chest, or analysis of sputum samples.

Symptoms

Chronic cough is a symptom and is usually not the only symptom. There are accompanying symptoms that can indicate the cause, such as:

Chronic bronchitis: a productive cough with grayish or greenish yellow mucus can last for three months a year and can occur for at least two consecutive years.

• Postnasal drip: the presence of mucus from the back of the nose to the throat due to rhinitis (inflammation of the lining of the nose) or sinusitis.
• Asthma: shortness of breath and difficulty breathing in the presence of a sound like a breath pinched and whining or wheezing
• Gastroesofagheal Reflux Disease (GERD): feeling tight, hot, and burning in the pit of the stomach and radiating to the chest.

Treatment

Chronic cough will not stop if the origin of the cause is not resolved. Consult a doctor immediately, especially if you experience the following:

• cough does not disappear within 5-7 days even though you have taken over-the-counter cough medicines at the pharmacy.
• coughing is very severe or the day gets worse.
• coughing up bleeding or accompanied by shortness of breath or difficulty breathing or chest pain.
• other alarming symptoms such as unwanted weight loss, sound changes, lumps, or swelling of the neck

Medications to treat cough can vary greatly depending on the cause. Some of them are treatment:

• Asthma with steroids so that it does not recur easily
• Allergy with anti-allergic and steroid drugs
• Bacterial infections with antibiotics
• GERD with antacid drugs
• COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) with bronchodilators or other types of drugs to improve lung capacity to absorb oxygen.

Cause

There are many things that can cause chronic cough to occur. Some of them are:

• Chronic respiratory infections such as chronic bronchitis
• Asthma
• Allergy
• Smoke
• Bronchiectasis (abnormal destruction and widening of the large respiratory tract)
• Postnasal drip (excessive mucus that builds up behind the throat)
• GERD
• Side effects of drugs such as the type of ace-inhibitor for high blood pressure problems
• Cystic fibrosis in children (a type of genetic health disorder that makes mucus in the body stick. The case is rarely found)

In certain cases, chronic coughing may be a symptom of a more serious health condition disorder such as lung cancer, heart failure, pulmonary embolism or tuberculosis. Therefore, do not underestimate the cough that does not heal or is getting more severe.

Prevention

Usually chronic cough cannot be completely cured because of its chronic chronic disease. For this reason, lifestyle changes that support general health and relieve cough symptoms need to be done, such as:

• eat healthy food so that the body has the endurance to help prevent lung infections.
• light and regular exercise so that the body weight is stable and the respiratory system is trained. Being overweight makes the body bear the burden on the respiratory system which makes breathing more difficult. Exercise will train the lungs and heart to work more efficiently and optimally.
• avoid smoky fog environment.
• stop smoking and avoid being as passive smokers as possible. Exposure to cigarette smoke as passive smoking is now known to be as dangerous as active smokers.
• avoid allergens or ingredients or the environment that might trigger allergic symptoms in your body.
• increase endurance to avoid flu or cold.