Chronic cough is not a disorder; rather, it is a symptom of an existing condition, disease or health problem. Chronic cough is a cough that is persistent, on-going, and does not get better or go away with time. Oftentimes, an individual with this condition will cough repeatedly over and over again, sometimes creating a gag reflux bringing an onset of tears and a hacking mechanism.
Chronic cough can be caused by numerous common conditions such as asthma, allergies, sinuses, and other infections. The most common cause of chronic cough however isn’t a medical condition at all, but is in fact directly related to cigarette smoking. If chronic cough continues to persist, a patient should be evaluated with a chest x-ray to rule out any serious lung disease.
The most common signs that an individual is experiencing asthma or an asthma attack is a shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, a tightening of the chest and very fast and rapid breathing.
The treatment of chronic cough will depend on the cause of the condition in the first place. Many patients will get relief by simply taking over-the-counter cough medicines and taking cough lozenges. Keeping hydrated by drinking adequate amounts of water and using steam as a way to break up the mucous within the throat are also helpful remedies. For sufferers of asthma, inhaled bronchodilators and steroids can be given to decrease inflammation; for sinus problems and bacterial infections, prescribed medications and antibiotics can be given to help alleviate the discomfort of chronic cough.