Causes of dry cough

Introduction

Chronic cough is a term for cough which does not go away for prolonged periods of time. It cannot be observed as a separate medical condition, it is more of a symptom of various different sorts of disorders.

Causes

There are numerous different causes for chronic cough. The following paragraph includes some of them. In some cases, chronic cough can be associated with sarcoidosis, tumors and various severe lung diseases. Various medications commonly used for the treatment for high blood pressure can also be associated with chronic cough. Numerous different types of fungal, bacterial and viral infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis are also often affiliated with the occurrence of chronic cough. Postnasal drip and different sorts of sinus infections and other diseases are also among the common causes of chronic cough. Another common cause of chronic cough is a medical condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. It involves the reflux of stomach acids into the esophagus due to malfunctioning of the valve-like muscle called lower esophageal sphincter. Asthma is a medical condition which affects the airways and is characterized by wheezing, difficulty breathing and in some cases chronic cough. It is important to note that all the different symptoms of asthma can be aggravated by certain factors such as perfumes, smoke, pollen, cold air and other air pollutants. In spite of all the aforementioned factors and causes, the most common cause of chronic cough is cigarette smoking. Chronic cough always needs to be evaluated by a doctor in order to determine the proper treatment method.

Treatment Options

Chronic dry cough remedies are always applied by treating its cause. The symptoms can be relieved by using certain over the counter medicaments, inhaling stream, taking cough suppressants and drinking plenty of water. Asthma is commonly treated with inhaled steroids, inhaled bronchodilators and sometimes also oral steroids. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is treated by avoiding the foods that trigger the symptoms of the condition, head elevation while sleeping and certain medicaments. Postnasal drip and sinus problems can be treated by taking certain types of antihistamines and pseudoephedrine. Nasal inhalers and antibiotics are also used in some cases. All different sorts of infections commonly associated with chronic cough are usually treated with antibiotics, cough suppressants and analgesics. All those who suffer from bronchitis are commonly treated by humidification, analgesics, plenty of fluids and plenty of rest. Those who suffer from chronic cough induced by blood pressure medications need to discuss the condition with a physician.