Cough is just a reflex action caused when any irritant sticks in the throat, in the airways or anything that irritates the mucus. There can be various reasons for the cough, some are natural and some are due to an underlying...
Overview
Cough is just a reflex action caused when any irritant sticks in the throat, in the airways or anything that irritates the mucus. There can be various reasons for the cough, some are natural and some are due to an underlying disease. Cough is usually a symptom of the disease and the disease can be chronic or these can be acute. Chronic diseases are those that last for more than eight weeks, and acute diseases can last for a short time and can be treated with OTC medications. If the condition of the cough persists for long, it is advised to visit the doctor and go for chest diagnostic tests to look for the cause of the cough. There are various tests that are used for the detection of cough causes.
What are the Different Causes of Cough?
Various reasons can lead to cough or trigger cough conditions. These include infections, health conditions, environmental irritants and other reasons. The main reasons that lead to cough conditions include:
Respiratory infection: This is one of the main causes of the cough, respiratory infections can be of various types or various factors are responsible for respiratory infections like viral, bacterial, tuberculosis etc.
Asthma: Various reasons can lead to asthma and these include dust, pollen, mold and other factors.
Smoking: Smoking is another cause of cough, which can irritate the lungs and lead to cough. It can also lead to various serious diseases like cancer etc.
Chronic conditions or environmental irritations: Various chronic conditions like lung cancer, COPD, environmental irritants etc. can lead to cough conditions.
Which tests are used for the diagnosis of cough conditions?
There are various tests that help to diagnose the condition of cough and these include:
Chest X-ray (Book Now)
Sputum Test (Book Now)
CBC test (Book Now)
CT scan chest (Book Now)
Bronchoscopy (Book Now)
Pulmonary Function Test (Book Now)
Conclusion
Cough is a simple reflex action that can occur due to any environmental factor or disease. When any irritant gets stuck in the throat, in the airways or anything that irritates the mucus. There can be various reasons for the cough, some are natural and some are due to an underlying disease. Cough is usually a symptom of the disease and the disease can be chronic or these can be acute. Chronic diseases are those that last for more than eight weeks and acute diseases can last for a short time and can be treated with OTC medications. If the condition of the cough persists for long, it is advised to visit the doctor and go for chest diagnostic tests to look for the cause of the cough.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
What are the causes of a cough?
There are various causes of cough like pollens, environmental irritants, smoking etc.
Is Cough a communicable disease?
Yes, Cough is a communicable disease.
Is Cough treatable?
Yes, various medications and preventive measures can help to treat the disease.
