Reasons Your Cough Could Be Chronic

Smokers aren’t the only ones who eventually develop the “smoker’s cough.” On the contrary, there are many reasons as to why one might develop a chronic cough. There are a variety of underlying health problems that could be the culprit. No matter the underlying issue, it is recommended that you visit us at the Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Medical Group to establish what the health problem actually is.

Acid Reflux

If you experience any other symptoms of acid reflux, that could be the cause of your chronic cough. One of the most common causes, acid reflux causes other symptoms such as heartburn, burping, regurgitation, and more. It’s important to visit your doctor if you’re experiencing these symptoms, especially with a chronic cough potentially tied to it.

Asthma

Asthma and other types of allergies are common causes of a chronic cough. It’s very easy to get this treated by visiting a specialist. The Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Medical Group has a variety of professionals able to handle all underlying issues of a chronic cough, including asthma.

Sleep Apnea

Not getting proper sleep can carry over in just about every facet of your life. It can even add a chronic cough to your regular routine. If you experience common symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, seek the advice of a medical professional immediately. The most common symptoms are loud snoring, being tired during the day, waking up repeatedly throughout the night, insomnia, and gasping or choking yourself awake at night.

Dehydration

Not keeping enough fluids in your system is a very common cause to a chronic cough. Make sure you’re drinking plenty of juice, water, and even soup to stay properly hydrated and minimize the risk of developing a chronic cough. On the other side, coffee and other caffeinated beverages should be avoided as often as possible if you have a chronic cough, as it dehydrates you.

Stress

Another common cause to the annoying chronic cough is simple stress. It’s been proven that stress can actually make a variety of health issues last longer, such as colds and other illnesses. Likewise, stress can trigger a chronic cough. Try to ease your stress as much as possible when sick to avoid a cough lingering. At the same time, ensure you’re getting at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night to relax and stay well rested.

Too Many OTC Meds

Using an over the counter nasal decongestant spray is a simple way to relieve the most annoying nasal symptoms you have to deal with when sick. However, using that OTC nasal spray can cause the nasal membranes to swell due to prolonged use. Don’t take nasal spray for more than 3 days in a row, and you should be able to avoid this issue.

ACE Inhibitor Trigger

If you take an ACE inhibitor to reduce high blood pressure, you roughly have a 20% chance of developing a chronic cough. A dry cough is a common side effect to over 10 different ACE inhibitors. Speak to your doctor about the inhibitor you’re on and discuss a switch if you notice a chronic cough start to develop.

All of these underlying issues that causes chronic coughs can be avoided or treated. If you’re already experiencing a chronic cough, or the home treatments haven’t done the trick, visit us at the Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Medical Group to get a full examination regarding your cough. Call us at 805-658-9500 to set up an appointment today.