Chronic cough is a cough that does not resolve. Chronic cough is not a disease in itself; rather it is a symptom of other disorders. It is a common problem and the reason for many doctor visits. Causes Most diagnostic workups for the cause of a cough differentiate between chronic cough in nonsmokers with a normal chest x-ray (CXR) and chronic cough in smokers with or without an abnormal CXR. The most common causes for chronic cough in a nonsmoker with a normal CXR are postnasal drip syndrome, asthma, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Medications called ACE inhibitors are another major cause of chronic cough. Common causes for chronic cough in smokers are bronchitis and lung cancer. Even though a chronic cough in a nonsmoker usually does not indicate problems as serious as these, it should be evaluated by a physician to exclude rare but serious causes. Less common causes include: congestive heart failure, disorders of the upper airways, disorders of the pericardium, bronchogenic carcinoma, interstitial lung disease, chronic pulmonary infection (e.g., tuberculosis), cystic fibrosis, interstitial lung disease, and psychogenic disorders. Signs â€Coughing up blood. â€Coughing with chest pain. â€Troubled breathing. â€Shortness of breath. â€Losing weight without trying. â€High-pitched sound or stridor when inhaling. Treatments There are many different kinds of coughs caused by many different things. Treatment is also different. Never use cough medication for children under 2 years old before you talk to a doctor. Cough with runny nose â€May be caused by mucus running down the back of the throat. â€Treated with a decongestant, available as over-the-counter cold medications. â€Do not use for children under 2 years old before talking to your doctor. Cough related to an allergy â€Avoid whatever allergen is causing the reaction. â€Often caused by dust or allergies to pets. â€Take antihistamines. Dry cough, tickling cough â€Caused by throat irritation. â€Sometimes helped by sucking on cough lozenges or hard candy. â€Do not give hard candy or throat lozenges to children under 3 years old. Habit cough, psychogenic cough â€Often described as a barking or honking cough. â€Has no physical cause. â€Habit cough can be caused by nervousness. â€Emotional problems are probably the cause of a psychogenic cough. â€For example, a child might cough to get their parents' attention. â€Many people cannot stop themselves from coughing. They need to see a doctor for help. Short, dry, wheezing cough â€Heard in asthma, bronchitis, or pneumonia. Loose, wet cough that brings up mucus â€Usually caused by an upper respiratory infection, a cold, or sinus infection. â€Caused by mucus dripping down the back of the child's throat. â€Child may also vomit mucus. Croup â€Cough often begins at night after child has been sleeping. â€Cough can occur during the day, too. â€Child may have trouble breathing. â€Continuous cough that sounds like a barking seal. Remember that no cough medicine should be taken for longer than 3 weeks. Call your doctor if the cough has not gone away by this time.
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