Why doesn't the cough go away and what to do?

If the cough does not go away for more than three weeks, then specialists call it protracted or chronic. Most often, this condition is caused by chronic bronchitis, which is often observed in smokers and people working in hazardous industries (paint and varnish, pharmaceutical and other industries). If a protracted cough bothers a child or a non-smoker and when the effect of possible irritants is excluded, an immediate examination and consultation with a specialist is recommended.

In case of chronic cough, the first thing to check is whether nasal discharge enters the nasopharynx, the stomach contents are thrown into the esophagus or pharynx, or asthma. Also, a cough that does not go away for a long time can be caused by more serious diseases - tumors, heart disease or connective tissue disease of the lungs.

Why doesn't the cough go away?

There can be many reasons why a cough does not go away for a long time. In some cases, this condition is caused by benign formations in the lungs, smoker's bronchitis, dysfunction or blood vessels.

In addition to constant coughing, other symptoms may be present (wheezing in the lungs, runny nose, blood in the sputum, a feeling of heaviness in the chest, etc.).

The most common cause of persistent coughing is asthma. With this disease, coughing can be constant or intermittent (in case of exposure to allergens).

A lingering cough can also be provoked by an untreated cold; as a rule, this condition is caused by increased susceptibility of the lungs, due to which coughing can appear at a reflex level.

Why doesn't the cough go away after a sore throat?

If after a sore throat the cough does not go away for some time, there may be several reasons for this. First of all, this condition is facilitated by the immune system weakened by the disease and treatment, which is unable to resist both new viruses attacking the body and "old" ones that have not been cured. Sometimes it happens that the diagnosis is incorrect or the sore throat occurs against the background of another disease.

For example, with viral rhinitis, mucus from the nasal cavity gets into the throat, which causes a reflex cough, thus the body frees the throat from pathological contents.

Based on external signs, tonsillitis is often confused with viral pharyngitis. An accurate diagnosis can be made using a smear and culture. Tonsillitis is caused by bacteria, while pharyngitis is caused by viruses. Antibiotics are always prescribed for tonsillitis, but such drugs are only harmful to bacteria, while viruses continue to attack the body. As a result, the immune system weakened by antibiotics cannot resist viruses, which leads to progression of the disease and prolonged cough. Viral pharyngitis against the background of inflammatory processes in the throat can cause a dry cough with spasms in the larynx.

Coughing can also be a sign of rheumatic fever; usually, in addition to coughing, chest pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, and rapid pulse are also a concern.

If the cough does not go away for a long time, you need to see a therapist and undergo an examination, take an X-ray, after which the doctor will prescribe treatment.

It often happens that after a cold, a cough continues to torment. If cough treatment does not show the desired results and this condition lasts more than two weeks, then you should not postpone a visit to the doctor. In most cases, a cough is caused by a new infection or virus that a weakened immune system is unable to cope with.

Why does my cough not go away for a week?

If the cough does not go away for a week, and other symptoms are observed (runny nose, low temperature), then most likely the body has been struck by a common cold. With timely and correct treatment, both a cold and a cough are quite easy to cope with. With improper treatment, failure to comply with the regimen, or complete lack of treatment, a severe inflammatory process in the trachea or bronchi may develop.

Inhalations are recommended for treating cough at early stages. It has long been known that when warm vapors are inhaled, a moist environment is formed, which improves the formation and removal of sputum. Decoctions and infusions of medicinal plants, essential oils are used for inhalations.

To prepare a solution for inhalation, you need to pour 1-2 tablespoons of a medicinal plant (chamomile, sage, mint, thyme) with 400 ml of boiling water (you can also dissolve a few drops of essential oil in hot water). Inhalation can be done in several ways: breathe over a bowl with herbal infusion, covering yourself with a towel, roll a paper tube and inhale medicinal vapors with it, or use a special inhaler.

You should not do inhalations over boiling water, or if you have high blood pressure.

Why does the cough not go away after 2 weeks?

Sometimes there are situations when, despite the prescribed treatment, the cough does not go away and continues to torment for more than a week. In this case, it is necessary to consult a doctor, undergo additional examination and, if necessary, undergo a new course of treatment.

A cough that lasts for a long time is in most cases caused by a new infection that the weakened body could not cope with. The most common causes of a prolonged cough are mycoplasmosis, pneumocystosis, and in rarer cases, cough is caused by fungal infections (candida, chlamydia) or mycobacterium tuberculosis.

It is worth noting that incorrect diagnosis and treatment can lead to serious complications even with a common cold.

Why does my cough not go away for a month?

Coughing can occur as a reaction of the body to pollen, wool or medications. In this case, we are talking about an allergic cough.

If the cough does not go away for several weeks under the influence of allergens, then in most cases it develops into bronchial asthma, so it is important to promptly identify and eliminate the irritant.

Also, a prolonged cough can be caused by a respiratory infection, against the background of which an inflammatory process occurs in the tonsils, pharynx, nasal mucosa, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs.

A lingering cough in children may be caused by the presence of a foreign body in the upper respiratory tract. In case of paroxysmal coughing with deep breaths, the development of whooping cough may be suspected.

Less often, if the cough does not go away for several weeks, the cause is fibrous cyst, bacterial pneumonia, tuberculosis, or lung tumors.

Why doesn't my cough with phlegm go away?

Sputum is a secretion from the bronchi and trachea; it can be normal (in a healthy person) or pathological (with the development of certain diseases).

The human respiratory tract constantly produces mucus, which protects the body from pollutants (dust, small debris, etc.) and also resists pathogenic microorganisms.

The color of sputum can change from transparent to green against the background of the development of various respiratory diseases; it can also contain various impurities (blood, pus, etc.).

The release of sputum when coughing is a good sign, since this is how the body gets rid of microbes. To help the body, medications are prescribed that facilitate expectoration, promote the removal of sputum (ambroxol, bromhexine) and restore bronchial secretions (ACC).

For allergic cough, antihistamines (loratadine, fexofenadine) are prescribed.

If the cough does not go away, phlegm is released, and there is no fever, then the cause of this condition may be allergies, heart failure, toxic substances in the air, smoking, and also mites that live in feather pillows.

To relieve the condition of a wet cough, you need to drink more fluids, it will help reduce the viscosity of sputum and improve its removal from the bronchi.

If the cough with phlegm does not go away despite treatment, you should inform your doctor and undergo additional examination (blood test, phlegm test, X-ray).

Why does a dry cough not go away for a long time?

A cough without sputum production is called dry, and usually occurs against the background of various diseases of the upper respiratory tract.

If dry cough does not go away for a long time, it is advisable to start drug treatment. There are several types of drugs, drugs based on codeine and ethylmorphine (codeine, glaucine) have a central effect and suppress the cough reflex, affecting the medulla oblongata, drugs based on acetylaminonitropropoxybenzene (Codelac Broncho, Omnitus, Falimint, etc.) affect cough receptors.

As an additional treatment, you can use proven folk remedies that alleviate the condition with a debilitating dry cough. The most effective method for treating this type of cough is warm milk with baking soda, such a drink helps to reduce the cough reflex and improve well-being.

You can also drink a decoction of black currant, peppermint, radish juice with honey, and anise fruit extract 2-3 times a day.

For dry coughs, inhalations with baking soda help well.

Why doesn't the cough go away after pharyngitis?

Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the pharynx, it can occur in both acute and chronic forms. The disease causes a dry cough, which usually intensifies at night and leads to spasms of the larynx.

If the cough does not go away even after treatment, then most likely the disease was not completely cured or ineffective therapy was prescribed.

There are situations when treatment is stopped on its own, even after a slight improvement in the condition. Usually in such cases, a person does not want to "poison" himself with chemicals and stops taking medications, hoping that herbal decoctions or strong immunity will help to cope with the disease. However, such an attitude to treatment is unacceptable, since after the withdrawal of drugs, the remaining viruses and bacteria can attack the weakened body more strongly, which will lead to the development of severe complications.

Why does the cough not go away after laryngitis?

Laryngitis is characterized by a dry cough without expectoration and hoarseness. The disease is usually a complication of a cold, but can also develop on its own after cold drinks, hypothermia, straining the vocal cords, or inhaling icy or polluted air.

In the initial stages, inhalations, gargling, warm drinks, and medications to improve expectoration are indicated. Usually, after a few days, sputum secretion begins, and the disease gradually passes. If the cough does not go away for a long time after recovery, then additional examination is required. Cough can occur with inflammatory processes in the nasopharynx (adenoids, tonsillitis), and a long wet cough can also indicate an infection in the lower respiratory tract.

Why does cough not go away after pneumonia?

Pneumonia is an infectious inflammation of the lungs. At first, the cough is dry, but over time, as the inflammation in the lungs increases, it becomes wet, mucous sputum appears. With pneumonia, the cough does not go away for quite a long time, on average, pneumonia lasts about a month, but after recovery, coughing is necessary for the body, as it helps remove the remains of mucus from the lungs, it is usually also called post-infectious cough. The duration of post-infectious cough can vary from two weeks to several months, depending on the state of the body.

To improve your well-being after pneumonia, it is recommended to do breathing exercises and undergo a course of physical therapy.

After treatment, the sensitivity of cough receptors decreases, which is why coughing may occur when inhaling cold air, dust, etc. This condition is a consequence of a past infection, but not a manifestation of the disease.

Why doesn't the cough go away after a cold?

Cough almost always accompanies colds or viral diseases. As a rule, cold symptoms disappear after a few days, and after a week the body is completely healthy, but coughing can bother for several more weeks.

It is considered normal to have a cough after a cold (residual), but if it continues for more than three weeks, then in most cases it is associated with the development of complications (pneumonia, whooping cough, bronchitis, etc.).

The acute phase of the disease lasts for several days, but during this period pathogenic microorganisms destroy the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, which leads to increased sensitivity of the bronchi. After a cold, a person is often bothered by a sore throat, a slight cough, and the release of a small amount of sputum. After an illness, a weakened organism needs some time to return to normal and restore the mucous membranes. During this period, it is necessary to avoid hypothermia, it is advisable to take a course of vitamins.

If after an illness the cough does not go away, becomes stronger, other symptoms appear (chest pain, fever, sputum with purulent or bloody impurities, etc.), you should consult a doctor to determine the cause and exclude the development of serious diseases.

Why doesn't the cough go away after bronchitis?

After bronchitis, coughing is observed in about half of patients. Most often, children suffer from residual cough, since their bronchi are more vulnerable than in adults, and the recovery period lasts longer.

If the cough does not go away after bronchitis, the reasons may be the following:

• slow healing process;
• severe damage to the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract;
• complications;
• erroneous or inadequate treatment;
• allergic reactions (particularly to medications).

Acute bronchitis lasts on average from 7 to 10 days, but even after visible improvements, the bronchi need time to recover.

On average, coughing completely disappears two weeks after bronchitis, provided that the treatment process was normal and there are no complications. If coughing intensifies and lasts more than three weeks, a specialist consultation is needed, since this condition may be associated with the development of other diseases (asthma, pneumonia, bronchial obstruction, allergies).

Why does cough not go away during pregnancy?

If a pregnant woman has a persistent cough for a long time, it can lead to serious consequences. During coughing, the abdominal wall and uterus become tense, as a result, the tone of the internal organs increases. The tone of the uterus in the early stages of pregnancy threatens spontaneous abortion, in the later stages - premature birth.

Coughing is usually a symptom of a viral or infectious disease, and it can also appear when exposed to irritants (allergic cough). A severe, debilitating cough requires immediate treatment, which should be prescribed by a specialist, taking into account the duration of pregnancy, the woman's condition, and the cause of the cough.

What to do if a child's cough won't go away?

If a child has a persistent cough for a long time, the first thing to do is to identify the cause of this condition. If the cough bothers after an illness (ARI, flu, bronchitis, etc.), then in this case the cough may be associated with the recovery period. Harmful microorganisms weaken the body, provoke inflammation and irritation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, and the body needs time to completely clear the bronchi of mucus residues and restore the epithelium.

In this case, coughing does not pose a danger; usually the child coughs occasionally, and a slight discharge of sputum may be observed.

It is worth noting that each organism is individual, and the recovery process in each individual case proceeds differently and can sometimes take months.

If the cough continues for more than three weeks, and the amount of sputum increases, the cough becomes stronger, it is necessary to show the child to a doctor, since in this case a secondary infection may develop, complications may develop, or a severe allergic reaction may occur.

Folk remedies for cough

If the cough does not go away for a long time, you can use folk remedies that will help soothe the irritated mucous membrane, improve the process of removing phlegm and speed up the recovery process:

1. Dill seed infusion - take 1 teaspoon of dill seeds, crush, pour 250 ml of boiling water, leave for 20-25 minutes. It is recommended to drink this infusion instead of water during the day until complete recovery.
2. Garlic whey – pour 2 tbsp of garlic over 250 ml of cow's milk whey and put on the fire, immediately after boiling remove from the fire and cool. This decoction should be drunk during the day.
3. Honey – has unique anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects; for a lingering cough, you can dissolve 1 teaspoon of honey in your mouth several times a day.
4. Medicinal decoction - mix equal parts of licorice, marshmallow root and elecampane, take 1 tbsp of the mixture and pour 200 ml of cold water, leave for two hours. Then put on the fire, bring to a boil. Drink the cooled and strained decoction in three doses during the day, the course of treatment is 10 days (it is recommended to prepare a new portion every day). If the cough continues, the course of treatment can be repeated in a week.

As already noted, coughing is a protective reaction of the body, helping to clear the respiratory tract from small dust particles, various contaminants, viruses, etc. If the cough does not go away for a long time, you need to determine the reason for its appearance. It is worth remembering the residual effects that are observed during the recovery period of the body and help cleanse the bronchi from mucus residues. Coughing can also appear due to increased sensitivity of receptors, in this case, coughing bothers after inhaling cold air, dust or exposure to allergens.

A prolonged cough that becomes stronger over time, accompanied by copious sputum production or other symptoms (chest pain, fever, runny nose, weakness, etc.) requires urgent consultation with a specialist, as this condition may be associated with a serious illness (asthma, tuberculosis).

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