The most common reasons for a persistent cough are postnasal drip, asthma, and acid reflux. These three conditions account for the vast majority of chronic cough cases.
Common Causes of Chronic Cough
Here's a breakdown of the most likely culprits:
- Postnasal Drip: This occurs when excess mucus drips down the back of the throat, irritating it and triggering a cough. Allergies, colds, and sinus infections can cause postnasal drip.
- Asthma: Coughing is a common symptom of asthma, especially a type called cough-variant asthma. Other symptoms may or may not be present, like wheezing or shortness of breath.
- Acid Reflux (GERD): Stomach acid flowing back up into the esophagus can irritate the throat and trigger a chronic cough. This is also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Less Common Causes
While less frequent, other potential causes should be considered:
- Infections: A lingering cough can follow a cold, the flu, or even pneumonia. Pertussis (whooping cough) is another infectious cause.
- Medications: Certain medications, particularly ACE inhibitors (often used to treat high blood pressure), can cause a chronic cough as a side effect.
- Lung Diseases: Conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis, and even lung cancer can cause a persistent cough.
- Environmental Irritants: Exposure to smoke, dust, fumes, and other irritants can trigger a cough.
- Other conditions: In rare cases, a cough can be due to conditions affecting the vocal cords or even psychological factors.
What to Do Next
Given the variety of potential causes, it's important for your wife to:
- Consult a doctor: A physician can properly diagnose the cause of the cough through a physical exam, medical history, and potentially further testing (like a chest X-ray, allergy testing, or lung function tests).
- Describe her symptoms in detail: Provide information about the nature of the cough (dry, wet, productive), when it occurs (day, night, after meals), and any other associated symptoms.
- Avoid potential irritants: If environmental irritants are suspected, try to minimize exposure.
Without a professional medical evaluation, it's impossible to determine the precise reason for your wife's cough. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to relieving her symptoms and preventing complications.
