Is your cough a symptom of cold or flu?
Our quick quiz helps you figure out if your symptoms point towards a cold or flu.
Check your symptomsWhat causes a persistent cough?
According to the NHS, a cough should usually clear up on its own within 3 to 4 weeks. The majority of the time, a cough is nothing to be concerned about; however, a lingering cough that has not been brought on by a recent cold or flu may be an indicator of a more serious condition.
Factors which may cause a persistent cough include:
- Irritated airways after a cold or flu
- Allergies and acid reflux
- Certain types of medication
- Underlying health problems.
Read on to find out why these factors may contribute to a stubborn cough, and get some tips on how to manage the problem, as well as when to seek medical advice.
1. Irritated airways after a cold or flu
The most common cause of a chronic cough is the aftermath of a cold or other viral infection. Often, cold symptoms will go away after a few days, however, you may find that you are stuck with a cough for a few weeks. This is because your airways have become swollen and oversensitive.
In addition to this, overuse of nasal decongestant sprays to treat a stuffy nose, can often worsen cough symptoms. When medications such as these are taken for more than 3 days, your nasal membranes may swell, resulting in congestion and excess mucus dripping down into the throat, which triggers coughing.
It is also important to slow down while you're unwell, and ease stress in your day-to-day life. If you push yourself too hard, this can cause a cold to last longer, and make a resistant cough even harder to shift.
Not drinking enough fluids when you're sick can also leave you with a lingering cough. Water, juice, soup and hot drinks can loosen mucus in the airways and make it easier to cough up and expel. However, make sure you are not consuming alcohol or caffeinated drinks during a period of illness, as these can dehydrate you, which may worsen symptoms.
Sometimes, unfortunately, a cold or flu can bring about a more troublesome infection. When you suffer a cold or other viral infection, your airways become raw and irritated, making it easier for bacteria to invade. When this happens, it can result in bacterial infections such as bronchitis, sinus infections and, in serious cases, pneumonia.
If you have a fever, or are suffering a lot of pain in your chest and throat along with a persistent cough, a bacterial infection could be the reason. These infections may be appropriate for antibiotic treatment, so visit your doctor if you are concerned. They will be able to assess whether antibiotics are the right choice for your situation.
2. Allergies and acid reflux
If you suffer from chronic allergies, this can cause prolonged irritation in the throat, which may result in an ongoing cough. Air conditions in your home or outside can also trigger a cough. If the air is too moist, this can encourage the growth of dust mites and mould - allergens that can aggravate the throat and make you start coughing. Moist air can also prompt an asthmatic reaction, which can bring about a dry cough.
Other conditions such as hypersensitive gag reflex and acid reflux can disturb the throat and cause an irritating cough. Acid reflux can often be the reason for dry coughs, especially during the night.
There are many practical tips which can be effective in soothing acid reflux, including:
- Sitting upright and chewing food properly to allow the digestion process to begin correctly
- Being relaxed during meal times and reducing stress to allow foods to digest more efficiently
- Avoiding big meals or eating late in the evening
- Avoiding drinking large volumes of liquid before bed or with meals
- Elevating the head during sleep.
If you are looking to ease irritation in the respiratory tract, you may wish to try a cough syrup. Our Bronchosan cough syrup can provide relief for dry, tickly and irritating coughs.
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Take 5-10ml (1-2 teaspoons), two to four times daily.
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3. Certain types of medication
Certain types of medications carry a side effect of coughing. This is particularly true for ACE inhibitor drugs, taken for high blood pressure. Around 20% of people who take ACE inhibitors suffer a persistent, dry cough as a side effect.
If you are struggling with the side effects of these drugs, discuss the issue with your doctor as you may be able to switch to a different medication. There are many different ACE inhibitors available which you can try, however, do not stop taking prescribed medication until you have spoken to a healthcare professional.
4. Underlying health problems
In rare cases, a chronic cough may be an indication of a more serious condition. Bronchiectasis and bronchiolitis are conditions which cause damage and inflammation in the lungs, which can result in a lingering cough.
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a serious bacterial infection which attacks the respiratory tract. The infection can cause uncontrollable coughing, which may be violent, making it difficult to breathe properly.
Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease which may result in a dry cough. This disease is characterised by clumps of inflammatory cells forming in various organs, resulting in organ inflammation. Sarcoidosis can occur when your body's immune system reacts to a certain virus or bacteria. When it occurs in the lungs, this can cause a cough, shortness of breath and wheezing.
In severe situations, a chronic cough may be a symptom of lung cancer or heart failure. It is extremely important to see your doctor if you are worried about either of these two conditions, as well as the other conditions discussed. This is especially the case if you have risk factors for lung disease such as smoking or genetic conditions.
When should I see a doctor for a cough?
If you have a persistent cough for more than 3 weeks and it is showing no sign of improvement you should see your doctor. Other symptoms to look out for include:
- A cough which is very bad or gets worse quickly
- Persistently feeling very unwell
- Having a fever
- Coughing up excessive amounts of mucus
- Losing weight for no reason
- Painful, swollen glands on the neck
- Difficulty breathing.
If you are coughing up blood, or bloody mucus, you must see a doctor urgently.
