Navigating your personal health issues, including a persistent cough, can be challenging. Many circumstances can bring on a stubborn cough. From a common cold to seasonal allergies and asthma triggers, an individual’s cough can be the first sign of underlying troubles.
A medical practitioner will order a CT Chest Anatomy Scan in more complex situations with continuous coughing. These detailed images can help narrow down the root cause of the patient’s current issues.
In some other instances, individuals suffering from anxiety disorders can show an increase in asthma triggers. For example, using the best oil for anxiety and finding other workable solutions can help minimize asthma symptoms and reduce a cough.
How To Determine the Cause Of a Cough
Determining the cause of a persistent cough is critical before you can effectively treat the condition. Many symptoms can help pinpoint why the cough is happening so that you can use the proper remedy.
Coughing From a Common Cold
Contracting a common cold can produce a distinct cough in some individuals. Often, these coughs will sound wet, like the body is bringing up mucus. Phlegm build-up in the lung tissue can make the body cough continuously to try and release it.
Not all coughs from a cold will be wet, though. Some cold symptoms include irritation of the throat lining, making the body cough during a time of sickness. In these cases, the individual will have a dry, hacking cough and may sound like barking due to its force.
Seasonal or Environmental Allergies Causing Coughing
Long-term coughing symptoms lasting three weeks or more can be due to allergies. For example, some individuals will notice prolonged coughing fits during pollen season or if they visit a home with animals they have an allergy to.
Often, the cough will resolve itself once the individual leaves the environment or the season changes. However, they may also experience other symptoms, such as itchy, watery eyes or a post-nasal drip during these coughing bouts.
Asthma Coughing
Individuals who have asthma will often have a dry, nonproductive cough. Restriction of the airways can make the body cough as a reflex, although it has no benefits to obtaining more oxygen. This cough will not produce mucus and will often have accompanying wheezing or whistling sounds along with chest tightness.
Although a cough from asthma symptoms is typically dry, the lungs may produce some mucus if there are other triggers, creating a rustling noise in the chest. Some asthmatics will cough more during the evening hours, which can help to diagnose and treat the symptoms.
Diagnosing a Cough
If you still have concerns about a stubborn cough, talking to a health care practitioner is critical in getting the attention necessary to minimize symptoms and receive proper treatment. Leaving it untreated for too long can prolong uncomfortable symptoms and create further problems.
In addition, determining the root cause of a cough can help guide you to a faster recovery time, avoid future issues, and improve overall wellness.
