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PATIENT EDUCATION
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| Chronic Cough |
| More than 12 million pediatric doctor visits are due to coughs every year. Most coughs last a few days due to common colds. It is frustrating if a cough is present for weeks and result in several sleepless nights for both children and parents. |
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Protective
Cough is an important protective mechanism of the lungs. Cough helps guard against aspiration and assists in the removal of secretions from the airways. Chronic cough results when cough receptors are constantly triggered by various stimuli. Cough receptors are located in the nose, sinuses, ear canals, pharynx, larynx, trachea, and bronchi. They are also found in the diaphragm and pericardium.
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Variety of Causes
Chronic cough can be caused by a variety of conditions such as:
- Cough variant asthma – Chronic cough may be the sole manifestation of asthma. It is the most common cause of chronic cough in children. Cough occurs day and night precipitated by excessive cold air, common cold or flu.
- Viral or bacterial pneumonia can produce chronic cough.
- Sinusitis, which presents a post-nasal drip, yellow or greenish mucous, facial pain, foul odor of breath, and sore throat, can be a cause for chronic cough.
- CIGARETTE SMOKING – There is a direct association between chronic cough and cigarette smoking. In general, the rate of cough increases with the number of cigarettes smoked. Also, there is a clear association of chronic cough and passive smoking. Children who have parents that smoke have more respiratory disease. Even if you smoke only in one room, the smoke spreads all through the house. If you smoke outside of the house, the irritant is carried on the clothing, hair, and skin.
- Habit cough, also known as psychogenic cough. This type of cough is characterized by a single dry repetitive honking cough. Habit cough typically occurs only during the day and disappears during sleep. It may be precipitated by anxiety.
- Other causes, like cyctic fibrosis, congenital malformations, foreign body and aspiration, can cause chronic cough in children.
- Gastro-Esophageal Reflux.
- Vocal Cord dysfunction.
- Medications: ACE inhibitors for high blood pressure (i.e., Capoten, Vasotec, Prinivil, etc.) may cause chronic cough.
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