A chronic cough is a cough that lasts eight weeks or longer in adults, or four weeks in children. A chronic cough can interrupt your sleep and leave you feeling exhausted. Severe cases of chronic cough can cause vomiting, lightheadedness and even rib fractures.
Causes of chronic cough:
- Smoking Cigarette smoke is irritant to the lining of the airways, so being a smoker, or being around other people smoking (being a passive smoker) is a common cause of cough. Smoking-related coughs are usually dry - in other words you don't cough anything up - and tend to be worst in the mornings.
- Tuberculosis
- Heart failure
- Medicines Some medicines can occasionally cause a cough. It tends to be a dry cough.
- Acid reflux Often if you have acid reflux, you are aware of it and get a burning sensation in your gullet, called heartburn and can lead to chronic cough. This kind of cough is sometimes worse after eating, or whilst you are eating. It may also be worse when you bend over, or while you are lying flat in bed.
- Asthma Usually the cough of asthma comes with other symptoms, such as being out of breath when you exercise, or having wheezy breathing. Asthma can start with just a cough, however. The cough tends to be worse during the night, or when you exercise.
- Could it be cancer? You and your doctor will always want to rule out cancer if you have a cough which lingers. Lung cancer is more likely if you have been a smoker, but can occur in anyone. Signs that it might be cancer include losing weight and coughing up blood. You may also have pain in your chest or shoulder.
When to see the doctor?
See your doctor if you have a cough that lingers for weeks, especially one that brings up sputum or blood, disturbs your sleep, or affects school or work.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-cough/symptoms-causes/syc-20351575
https://asthmaallergycenters.com/education/chronic-cough
https://patient.info/chest-lungs/cough-leaflet/chronic-persistent-cough-in-adults