Top Causes of Constant Coughing
There are numerous medical reasons why a person may be suffering from constant coughing. For example, one of the most common causes for this type of ailment is chronic bronchitis. Bronchitis is generally caused by physical causes, rather than a bacterial infection. Chronic bronchitis, on the other hand, can be attributed to upper respiratory infections. This type of bronchitis is most prevalent in smokers or users of other tobacco products. A coughing condition can also be attributed to post respiratory tract infections. Upper respiratory tract infections are generally caused by a generalized infection of the upper respiratory system. These infections are often caused by changes in the environment of the patient. For example, tract infections, such as influenza, often occur in the winter.
Constant coughing is also caused by asthma. The coughing may be triggered by physical actions, like exercise. It may also be triggered by inhaled toxins, like allergens, or environmental factors, like extreme cold. Gastrointestinal causes may also be an underlying cause of constant coughing. This is especially true if an individual develops gastroesohpageal reflux disease, which is more commonly known as acid reflux disease. When an attack of heartburn occurs, the individual begins coughing due to a buildup of food or liquids that enter the lungs through the esophagus. Certain types of drugs can also cause constant coughing. For examples, ACE inhibitors, which are used in the treatment of cardiovascular conditions, can cause coughing. However, the condition usually subsides when a person discontinues the medication.
More serious causes of constant coughing can include cardiac failure and tumors. In some instances, cardiac failure can be a slow progressing condition. Pleural diffusion, or “water on the lungs”, causes a buildup of fluid in the lungs that causes shortness of breath and coughing. It should be noted that a tumor on the lungs or the esophagus is a rare cause of constant coughing; however, many of the symptoms that are associated with a tumor, including constant coughing, are often misdiagnosed as symptoms of an infection. Other rare causes of constant coughing include tonsil stones, chronic tonsillitis, and a potentially enlarged thyroid. Pyschogenic causes of constant coughing often present themselves in children, rather than adults