Cough is the most important means of self-defense of the respiratory system. It is customary to distinguish between a productive cough in which sputum is excreted, as well as unproductive, which is also called dry cough. The causes of both of these ailments can be varied. Let's look at just a few.
Dry cough: causes of an infectious nature
The most common cause are acute respiratory viral infections. This is characterized by the appearance of inflammation of the upper lobe of the respiratory tract, they include the pharynx, mouth and nose. For example, with pharyngitis, a frequent dry cough is observed , which, as a rule, is very exhausting. With laryngitis, it often has a barking character. At the same time, there is often a sore throat, some hoarseness, and possibly a loss of voice. A special form of laryngitis called false croup can be a very unpleasant consequence of this ailment. This condition usually begins at night, quite suddenly, while there is a barking dry cough. The reasons can be different, and the danger, especially for children, is that it becomes difficult for them to breathe due to swelling of the mucous membrane of the larynx, the nose, lips turn blue, breathing becomes noisy, and the pulse quickens. An ambulance must be called at the first sign of croup. The lower airways can also be affected by the infection, namely the bronchi, lungs and trachea. Bronchitis and tracheitis usually begin with a dry cough. It can also be a symptom of pneumonia, that is, pneumonia.
Sometimes the reasons for a dry cough are related to the fact that a person fell ill with whooping cough. It is considered a childhood disease, but adults are also not uncommon. Its first symptoms are similar to acute respiratory infections, a dry cough, a runny nose appears, while the temperature is quite low. And then, within two weeks, all the symptoms, except for the cough, disappear. A cough acquires some characteristic features. It is for them that pertussis is often detected.
Dry cough: non-infectious causes
Sometimes it acts as a symptom of a disease, not accompanied by any infection, but caused by the influence of other factors. Such diseases often contribute to the appearance of fibrosis, that is, a violation of the pulmonary structure. The reasons for this are the inhalation of asbestos fibers, coal dust, chemical compounds, animal hair, and more. A dry cough with shortness of breath appears, weakness, fatigue, sweating.
The cause of dry cough may also be in some other diseases that are completely unrelated to the respiratory system. For example, with gastroesophageal reflux, stomach acid is thrown into the throat through the esophagus, and the cough center is irritated, which causes a cough. If the child coughs with an anguish, then this sometimes happens due to the ingress of small objects, which requires medical intervention as soon as possible.
It is worth paying attention to the fact at which time a cough appears more often. If it is morning, then this can signal ailments such as gastroesophageal reflux, chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis. Dry cough, which becomes stronger at night, is characteristic of heart failure, bronchial asthma, whooping cough and other diseases. The reasons described here are only a small part of what can cause such a cough. They are given to understand that treatment depends entirely on the etiology, that is, the origin of the disease. There is no single universal cough suppressant. In any case, you should immediately consult a qualified doctor. The true cause of dry cough can only be established with its help, after which it will be possible to begin treatment.