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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Persistant Cough
Answered by
This forum is for questions and support regarding lung and respiratory issues such as: Allergies, Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds - Flu, Chronic Cough, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, Emphysema, Fibrosis, Lung Abscess, Nasal Polyps, Pleurisy, Pneumonia, Sarcoidosis, Sinusitis, Tuberculosis.
Persistant Cough
by Starlah, Feb 27, 2002 12:00AM
Twice in about the span of a year I got a cold. I was highly congested and developed a cough. However, the cough doesn't leave when the rest of the symptoms (the sneezing, stuffy nose, head aches, etc) subside.
I am left with a light, wet cough that lasts for months.
I'm worried about possible lung damage do to this chronic cough.
I am a 20 year old non-smoker and I'm in good health otherwise.
Could this be a symptom of something other than the common cold?
My Dr. Just tells me to get more rest and take over the counter medication for the cough if need be, but this cough alarms me.
I am left with a light, wet cough that lasts for months.
I'm worried about possible lung damage do to this chronic cough.
I am a 20 year old non-smoker and I'm in good health otherwise.
Could this be a symptom of something other than the common cold?
My Dr. Just tells me to get more rest and take over the counter medication for the cough if need be, but this cough alarms me.
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Feb 27, 2002 12:00AM
, Feb 27, 2002 12:00AM
People react differently to viral infections. There are some, like yourself, that will have a persistent cough for a long period of time after the acute viral infection appears over. If this is associated with wheezing, waking up at night coughing, coughing with activity etc, this may be because the lower airways are hypersensitive. This is quite common. Some people use the term Reactive Airways Disease. Others will call this asthma. In either case, the cough can be controlled with inhaler medications. Sometimes the prolonged cough is due to inflammation that occurs in the sinuses and this is the source of the cough for months, until the inflammation subsides. For these individuals, we use nasal anti-inflammatory medications to control the inflammation and the subsequent cough. It probably is a good idea to identify why the cough is persisting and then treat this problem.
There are many things which can cause or contribute to a cough, many of which are listed in the threads below about coughs. Some of the more common ones are: infection, allergies, asthma and/or gastroesophogeal reflux disease. Perhaps if you cannot get your doctor to take your concerns seriously & help you evaluate the cause of your cough(s), you might wish to consult another doctor for a 2nd opinion who may investigate some of these and/or other possible causes. It is troubling to have a cough with persists for months.
Good luck in tracking down the cause(s).
Aloha,
Starion