Chronic Cough Definition

If you are experiencing a prolonged cough not treatable with over-the-counter medications, such as cough suppressants, you may have a chronic cough. To determine the cause and origin of your chronic cough, your physician may order tests, such as chest x-rays, lung function tests and scope tests.

Significance

• Chronic cough is a cough that endures longer than eight consecutive weeks.

Causes

• According to Mayo Clinic, "An occasional cough is normal---it helps clear foreign substances and secretions from your lungs and prevents infection." However, chronic cough can be caused by an underlying illness, such as asthma, acid reflux or post nasal drip.

Effects

• In addition to draining your energy and interrupting your rest, a chronic cough can result in dizziness, headache and urinary incontinence.

Prevention/Solution

• Preventing chronic cough may be difficult since it is often caused by an underlying disease. However, you can control chronic cough by taking cough drops, using camphor or menthol-containing chest rubs or drinking hot tea and honey. In addition, treating the underlying ailment causing the cough is advisable.

Considerations

• Although anyone can develop a chronic cough, certain groups are more susceptible to developing the ailment, including women and smokers, says Mayo Clinic. Women are more susceptible to chronic cough because of their delicate cough reflexes. Smokers are more susceptible due to the damaging effects of smoke on the lungs.

Warning

• See a doctor immediately if your chronic cough produces blood or sputum.