Typically, a cough is a symptom of allergies or illness. But your cough is usually sporadic and only lasts a few days. You shouldn’t be coughing every day, all day.
But sometimes, coughs can last for a long time. You aren’t feeling sick but your cough is sticking around stubbornly. You cough when you’re seeing a movie (making some people pretty agitated), at the grocery store, everywhere you go. And you, very understandably, think: why doesn’t my cough subside?
Should I be worried if I’m experiencing a persistent cough? In some cases, a persistent cough is really annoying but nothing much to worry about, but sometimes it can be an indication of an underlying illness. It’s a smart idea to try and figure out what’s happening either way.
Persistent coughs can be, well, annoying
Persistent coughs can be somewhat obnoxious. That’s because a cough isn’t particularly a gentle experience. Those violent blasts of escaping air can have a negative impact on your life even if your persistent cough is fairly low-key.
There are a couple of ways that a persistent cough could impact your overall quality of life:
- Social stigma: Covid is still a serious concern for everybody. That’s understandable and probably wise! In part because of this, however, anyone who coughs instantly becomes a persona non grata. People will attempt to keep their distance from you, avoid eye contact, and basically pretend you don’t exist. Even if your cough is non-contagious, you’ll probably still experience a lot of social stigma. This will be an unpleasant situation for anybody who has to go through it.
- Difficulty eating: Eating can be a bit difficult when you’re dealing with a persistent cough. That’s mainly because your esophagus can only manage one direction of flow at a time; if air is coming up, food is unable to go down (at least, not without a good amount of choking and increased coughing). Consequently, a chronic cough can make eating difficult.
- Trouble sleeping: Sleeping is all but out of the question when you can’t stop coughing. Nothing is more annoying than being on the cusp of drifting off to dreamland only to be woken up by a coughing attack.
Identifying a persistent cough
So, how can you determine a persistent cough from a lingering cold? Well, one of the basic diagnostic factors is duration: how long have you been coughing? Generally, a cough that persists for 6-8 weeks or more is considered a chronic or persistent cough.
There are other symptoms that can come with a persistent cough, however. Those symptoms include:
- Post nasal drip
- In some circumstances, a cough and a fever
- Wheezing or shortness of breath
- Losing weight
- Heartburn
- Hoarseness
- Coughing up blood
- Sweating overnight
- A sore throat (particularly if you’re clearing your throat frequently)
These symptoms vary in severity. You should have a conversation with your doctor about treatment solutions if you are encountering any of these symptoms.
What could be the cause of your persistent cough?
A persistent cough is not a disease itself, it’s typically a symptom of something else that’s happening in your body, so it’s a smart plan to get it checked out. Some of them are serious; some of them less so.
Here are a few of the most common causes:
- Medications: Some medications can cause coughing. Consult your provider who will be able to inform you about these types of reactions. Sometimes, it will be possible to swap out your medication for something less aggravating.
- Smoking: Smoking is a complete health hazard, but that isn’t surprising for anyone at this point. And it can lead to all manner of lung issues, including a persistent cough. You may have contaminants, like tar, stuck in your throat which would be best case scenario. If you’re less fortunate, the cough will be caused by long-term damage that’s a direct consequence of your smoking. Either way, your lungs will thank you if you quit smoking right away.
- Digestive issues: A condition called GERD or acid reflux can at times cause coughing. In these cases, your body is reacting to the stomach acid or bile that’s moving up your esophagus. It’s about as enjoyable as it sounds. In these situations, you’ll want to consult your doctor about the best way to treat your digestive issues.
- Allergies: Sneezing is usually what most people think of when they consider allergies. But that’s not always the situation. Coughing can also be caused by allergies. You may want to ask your doctor about allergies if you notice a more persistent cough during the spring and summer months. And in these situations, getting an allergy test can provide you with a lot of answers.
- Lung diseases: Chronic coughing can be caused by a lot of lung diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis, COPD, and asthma. Asthma isn’t unusual and medication and lifestyle choices can normally manage it effectively. It’s more difficult, however, to deal with diseases such as COPD. COPD is degenerative and can affect your breathing over time. Often, coughing is also a symptom.
- Sinus problems: Your sinuses are large cavities found inside of your face. Coughing can be caused by post-nasal-drip which in turn can be a result of sinus problems like a sinus infection. Depending on the root cause, medication or sometimes surgery will be used to treat a sinus infection.
Pulmonary diseases such as this can usually be slowed, but not necessarily cured.
When should your persistent cough be worrisome?
So, when should you be concerned? In most situations, your cough will subside on its own. But if it’s sticking around for more than 6-8 weeks, and if it doesn’t respond to over-the-counter medications at all, then it might be time to call your doctor and schedule a consultation.
Even if your cough goes away, it’s never a bad plan to take a closer look at the health of your lungs, your throat, and your pulmonary system. So call us right away for a consultation!
References
https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd
https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/asthma