Normally, every person can have a few coughs during the day triggered by any reason. But when the cough becomes persistent it must not be ignored, because sometimes it could be a phenomenon that must be investigated with specific clinical tests.
In this article we explain when to worry if the cough persists and does not go away because it could also be a serious condition.
A cough is often triggered by a simple cold or a sore throat. In fact, it removes any foreign bodies in the upper airways, and controls bronchial and tracheal secretions, through a violent and rapid spasm of the respiratory muscles. Hence, cough is primarily a reflex defense system, for protective purposes.
When it becomes chronic it has a major impact on the psychological and social aspect of those who suffer from it. In some cases it leads to changes in mood, sleep quality, headache and vomiting. In severe cases, a fracture of the ribs, urinary incontinence, the formation of hernias or a pneumothorax.
When to worry if the cough persists and does not go away
For the specialist doctor, once the most common pathologies have been excluded, it is not always easy to understand the direct causes that trigger the cough. The reasons for its presence are not always easy to diagnose.
The causes could be multiple such as: respiratory infections, chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, bronchiectasis, or gastroesophageal reflux or more serious cases such as esophageal or lung cancer or cystic fibrosis and pulmonary infarction, etc.
Sometimes a cough can also be caused by a side effect of a drug taken, such as some hypertensive drugs.
When a patient goes to the doctor, it is ensured that he does not suffer from infectious or common diseases through some tests.
If the first tests give a negative result, or the patient has not responded adequately to treatment, we investigate to understand if it is more serious or even rare diseases such as: interstitial diseases or pulmonary alterations.