DR. WALKER

About Chronic Cough

Chronic cough is a persistent cough that lasts for around eight weeks or longer in adults, and around four weeks in children.

What Is the Cause of Chronic Cough?

1. Smoking: Either by inhalation or direct smoking, smoking is known to trigger certain reactions and cough is one of them. Smokers are at a higher risk of experiencing chronic cough.
2. Post nasal drip: This condition is also referred to as upper airway cough syndrome (UACS). It occurs when your nose or sinuses produce excess mucus, they tend to drip down the back of your throat, thereby triggering your cough reflex.
3. Asthma: A cough which is often associated with asthma may occur with seasons, especially after an upper respiratory tract infection. In some cases, the cough may worsen upon exposure to cold air or certain chemicals.
4. Infections: A cough can persist for a long especially after other symptoms of pneumonia, flu, cold, or other infections that affect the upper respiratory tract have ceased.
5. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): GERD occurs when the acid in the stomach flows back into the tubes that connect the throat and the stomach. This constant irritation in the stomach and throat can result in chronic cough.

Symptoms Of Chronic Cough

• A runny or stuffy nose
• A feeling of liquid running down the back of your throat (postnasal drip)
• Frequent throat clearing and sore throat
• Hoarseness
• Wheezing and shortness of breath
• Heartburn or a sour taste in your mouth
• In rare cases, coughing up blood

Risk Factors of Chronic Cough

• Smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke
• Environmental irritants such as air pollution, chemical fumes, and dust
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Asthma or other respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Allergies
• Postnasal drip
• Medications such as ACE inhibitors used to treat high blood pressure
• Infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia
• Lung cancer or other tumors in the chest
• Chronic sinusitis

What Are Some Complications of Chronic Cough

• Sleep disruption
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Vomiting
• Excessive sweating
• Loss of bladder control (urinary incontinence)
• Fractured ribs
• Passing out (syncope)

How Is Chronic Cough Diagnosed?

The following diagnostic test may be carried out by your healthcare provider when diagnosing for chronic cough:

1. Chest X-ray: Quick and easy chest picture
2. Blood sample: To see if your body is fighting an infection or if there are signs of allergies
3. CT scan of the chest: A better-quality picture of the chest
4. Throat swab: Usually done with a long cotton swab
5. Phlegm or sputum sample: Collected after a deep cough
6. Spirometry: You will be asked to breathe out hard and fast into a small
plastic device to measure how well you breathe out air
7. Methacholine challenge test: A breathing test often used to diagnose or rule out asthma

Vitamins and Supplements That May Help

Vitamins and supplements may help boost the immune system and reduce inflammation, which can help manage cough symptoms. These include:
Vitamin C: This vitamin is known to boost the immune system and reduce the severity of respiratory infections. It can be found in citrus fruits, berries, kiwi, and leafy greens.
Vitamin D: This vitamin plays a role in immune system function and has been shown to reduce the risk of respiratory infections. It can be found in fatty fish, and sunlight exposure.
Zinc: This mineral is essential for immune function and has been shown to reduce the duration and severity of respiratory infections. It can be found in oysters, and nuts. The National Institutes of Health considers 40 mg of zinc a day to be the upper limit dose for adults.

Quercetin is a naturally occurring flavonoid found in many fruits, vegetables, and plants. It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and has been studied for its potential benefits in treating a variety of health conditions, including respiratory infections. When combined with zinc, quercetin helps improve the absorption and effectiveness of zinc in the body. However, the body's ability to absorb zinc can be limited, which is where quercetin comes in. Quercetin helps increase the absorption of zinc by acting as a chelator, which means it binds to the zinc and helps transport it across the cell membrane. This can help increase the amount of zinc that is available to the body, which can help boost the immune system and reduce inflammation. Together, quercetin and zinc may have a synergistic effect in supporting immune function and reducing the severity of respiratory infections.

N-acetylcysteine (NAC): This supplement has been shown to help reduce mucus production and improve cough symptoms. It can be found in supplement form. A common dose of NAC is 600–1,200 mg per day. However, people should discuss the use of NAC and precise dosage with a physician.

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