Persistent Cough Diagnosis

If you are diagnosed with a chronic cough it simply means that you have a condition that instead of resolving over a normal period of time has persisted. It is not a disease and a diagnosis of it is not necessarily as bad as many people seem to believe. There could be a number of reasons why the symptom is lingering rather than resolving on its own.

With an increase in the number of asthma cases over the last several years, we have seen an increase in instances of this condition. Asthma, a respiratory disorder characterized by difficulty breathing and wheezing, is one of the most common causes of it.

It can also be caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD happens when food and acid in the stomach flow backwards to the esophagus. This condition then causes spasm of the esophagus airways which results in shortness of breath and coughing. If the reflux is severe enough, the substances can be inhaled into the lungs.

This can cause heart burn and damage to lung tissue. Some individuals may not feel the heartburn sensation. Instead they may have coughing that won’t go away.

Another common cause, especially during the colder months, is bronchitis. Other causes include pneumonia, sinusitis and postnasal drip. Some of the less common culprits can include certain medicines, tumors, sarcoidosis and other lung diseases.

As you can see, there are many causes. And the odds of you hitting on an exact diagnosis by yourself are not always in your favor. So before you allow your mind to dwell on the worst of the possible contributors you should visit a doctor. There are many tests and procedures that can be performed in a physician’s office or in a hospital to rule out possible causes until you arrive at a persistent cough diagnosis.