If you have a persistent cough like "cough cough" during the cold winter months, you usually think it's a common cold. However, if it doesn't improve after a few days and continues, it's advisable to visit a hospital. Especially when a cough lasts longer than 8 weeks, it is considered a chronic cough, which is mostly caused by clear abnormal factors. Let's explore the diseases that cause chronic cough.

 

◇Worsening when lying down may indicate post-nasal drip syndrome

 

The most common cause of chronic cough is postnasal drip syndrome caused by increased nasal secretions. It is a condition where nasal mucus flows down the back of the throat, irritating the throat and triggering coughing. Symptoms tend to worsen especially at night when lying down to sleep. A foreign body sensation is felt at the area connecting the back of the nose and the back of the throat, often accompanied by nasal congestion. Coughing caused by postnasal drip frequently occurs in individuals with allergic rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis, or sinusitis who produce a large amount of nasal mucus. Regular nasal irrigation with saline solution can help alleviate symptoms. It is also beneficial to avoid sudden temperature changes in the respiratory system and to drink plenty of water to keep the throat clean.

◇ Frequent coughing at night may indicate cough-variant asthma

 

Cough-variant asthma is also common. Cough-variant asthma refers to coughing without shortness of breath or wheezing. It mainly presents as a dry cough without phlegm and is known to be common among patients with atopic dermatitis. Cough-variant asthma tends to worsen at night. If coughing is severe at night, it is advisable to have a bronchial provocation test at the hospital to diagnose whether it is cough-variant asthma. Treatment includes bronchodilators, antihistamines, and steroids.

 

If symptoms are severe in the morning, suspect COPD

 

If you experience particularly severe coughing when receiving acupuncture, it could be due to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This is a condition where the airways from the bronchi to the alveoli (small air sacs at the end of the airways) become narrowed, making it difficult to breathe properly. The main symptoms of COPD are coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. There is a tendency for coughing to worsen in the morning as the mucus accumulated overnight is expelled. It is especially known that 70-80% of COPD patients are smokers. Chronic inflammation caused by smoking damages the lung tissue, leading to emphysema, which destroys the lung parenchyma. As a result, air movement during breathing becomes impaired, causing shortness of breath.

 

Suspect gastroesophageal reflux disease if accompanied by chest burning.

 

Chronic cough can occur when the larynx, where cough-triggering receptors gather, becomes sensitive due to gastroesophageal reflux disease or excessive secretion of female hormones. In the case of gastroesophageal reflux disease, stomach contents reflux into the esophagus, causing symptoms such as a burning sensation inside the chest, heartburn, and a foreign body sensation in the throat. In such cases, it is helpful to undergo tests at a hospital to identify the cause of the cough trigger and to correct habits that stimulate the larynx. Causes include smoking, eating snack crumbs, and talking for long periods. After identifying the triggers, you can practice taking alternative actions in advance when you feel a cough coming on to prevent it.

 

This involves actions such as swallowing saliva when feeling itchy before coughing. Combining behavioral correction with medication can lead to improvement in symptoms.

Meanwhile, chronic cough can also be caused by certain medications, smoking, pneumonia, or lung cancer. Identifying and treating the underlying disease that causes the cough is the most effective and important approach. If the cause cannot be determined, symptomatic treatment to suppress the cough is administered regardless of the cause.

 

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I thought a cough was just a simple thing.

According to the type of cough depending on the situation

The disease appears differently.

 

When lying down, at night, in the morning

If you have chest pain... here are the different types.

 

You also need to pay close attention to your cough.