A persistent dry cough can be a sign of a respiratory allergy, but it can also arise due to other factors, such as exposure to cigarette smoke or pollution. Furthermore, other causes are respiratory problems, such as asthma, sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, or gastric problems, such as gastroesophageal reflux, for example.
Whenever a dry cough persists for more than 1 week, worsens quickly or is accompanied by other signs, it is very important to go to the hospital or consult a pulmonologist to identify the cause and start the most appropriate treatment.
Check out other causes of persistent cough in the video below:
What could be a persistent dry cough?
The most common causes of persistent dry cough are:
1. Respiratory allergy
Allergy to dust, pet hair or flower pollen causes throat irritation, causing coughing until the cause of the respiratory allergy is identified and eliminated. This type of cough is more common in the spring or fall.
What to do: It is essential to identify the cause of the allergy, as this will help prevent new allergic attacks. Additionally, antihistamine medications can be used to alleviate symptoms.
Don’t ignore your symptoms!
2. Cigarettes and pollution
Cigarette use or exposure to smoke or any type of environmental pollution can cause throat irritation and can also stimulate the cough reflex, which tends to be dry and quite persistent.
What to do: In this case, it is recommended to avoid this type of exposure, as well as avoid smoking. This way it is possible to avoid throat irritation, coughing and the development of other health problems resulting from frequent and/or prolonged exposure to smoke or pollution.
3. Asma
Asthma is a respiratory problem that causes chronic inflammation of the lungs, which, in addition to a dry cough, results in symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing when breathing and a feeling of pressure in the chest.
What to do: It is important to follow up with a pulmonologist, who, when necessary, will prescribe inhaled medications that dilate the bronchi, making breathing easier and relieving symptoms. Furthermore, it is important to identify the factor responsible for triggering the asthma attack, as this way it is possible to avoid new attacks. See more details about asthma treatment.
4. Gastroesophageal reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux can also cause a dry cough after eating spicy or very acidic foods, coffee, alcohol and other foods, causing acid to rise from the stomach to the esophagus and throat, leading to a cough reflex. In addition to coughing, other symptoms may include a lump in the throat, heartburn and poor digestion. Learn more about gastroesophageal reflux.
What to do: To alleviate coughing and other reflux symptoms, it is important to have a light diet that is low in fatty foods, as well as behavioral measures, such as not lying down after eating and giving preference to food in small quantities. In addition, the doctor may also recommend the use of medications that reduce or neutralize the amount of acid in the stomach.
5. Heart problems
Some cardiac changes, especially heart failure, can cause an accumulation of fluid in the lungs, which makes the person feel the frequent urge to cough. In addition to coughing, there may be chest pain, shortness of breath when resting, swelling in the legs and feet, and frequent tiredness. Know how to recognize other symptoms of heart problems.
What to do: In these cases, it is important that a cardiologist is consulted so that tests can be carried out to identify the cause of the dry cough and, thus, initiate the most appropriate treatment not only to relieve the cough, but also to treat the cardiac disorder.
6. COVID-19
COVID-19 is a respiratory infection that can also cause a dry and persistent cough, as well as difficulty breathing, runny nose or stuffy nose, fever above 38ºC and general fatigue due to compromised lungs. Take our symptom test to find out your risk of having COVID-19.
What to do: If COVID-19 is suspected, it is important to perform the rapid test and/or PCR test for COVID-19 to confirm the infection and remain in isolation to avoid transmission to other people. Furthermore, it is important to rest and have a lighter diet. In cases where there is difficulty breathing, it is important to go to the hospital to have a chest X-ray and assess the need for hospitalization. Check out more details on treatment for COVID-19.
7. Use of some medications
Some medications indicated for blood pressure, such as captopril, enalapril and benazepril, for example, may have a persistent cough as a side effect. This cough may appear a few hours after first using the medication or after a few months.
What to do: It is important to consult the doctor who prescribed the medication to check whether it really is an adverse effect and thus assess whether it is necessary to modify the treatment.
How to treat persistent dry cough
Treatment for persistent dry cough should be aimed at solving its cause. In the case of a dry cough caused by allergies, in addition to using the medications prescribed by your doctor, it is important to:
- Drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day, because water helps keep the airways hydrated and reduces throat irritation;
- Take 1 tablespoon of carrot or oregano syrup about 3 times a day. These syrups have antitussive properties, reducing coughing attacks. See how to make these syrups.
- Drink 1 cup of mint tea, about 3 times a day. Mint has a tranquilizing, antitussive, mucolytic, expectorant and decongestant action, helping to relieve coughs. To make the tea, simply add 1 teaspoon of dry or fresh mint leaves to a cup of boiling water and let it rest for 5 minutes, strain and then drink;
- Take medicine for persistent dry cough under medical advicesuch as Vibral, Notuss, Antuss or Hytos Plus, for example.
It is also important to avoid dust indoors., as contact with animals and cigarette smoke can be the cause of persistent dry cough. See more tips to stop coughing faster.
Cases of a dry cough that persists for more than 1 week deserve more attention, especially if the person has asthma, bronchitis, rhinitis or any other chronic respiratory disease. It can mean a worsening of the condition and the need to take antihistamines or corticosteroids.
In addition, it is important to observe other symptoms associated with coughing, which should guide medical attention, such as persistent fever, shortness of breath, green, yellow or bloody phlegm. Learn about other causes of dry cough.
