Persistent Cough and Related Shortness of Breath Can Be Eliminated
Persistent or chronic cough -- one lasting eight weeks or longer -- is more than just an annoyance. In addition to being physically draining, a chronic cough can alienate your family and co-workers, ruin your sleep, and leave you feeling angry and frustrated. Chronic cough is one of the most common complaints that people bring to their health care providers.

While it can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint the problem that is triggering your chronic cough, the most common causes of chronic cough are postnasal drip, asthma and acid reflux -- a frequent symptom of gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD). Chronic cough typically disappears once the underlying problem is treated.

Symptoms

A chronic cough can occur with other signs and symptoms, which may include:

1)A runny or stuffy nose
2)A sensation of liquid running down the back of your throat
3)Wheezing and shortness of breath
4)Heartburn or a sour taste in your mouth
5)In rare cases, coughing up blood

Causes

1)Postnasal
2)Asthma
3)Gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD)
4)Respiratory tract infection
5)Blood pressure drugs
6)Chronic bronchitis
7)Bronchiectasis
8)Lung cancer

Western Medicine Treatment

Treating a chronic cough with a known cause is usually straightforward. When the cause cannot be determined, treatment becomes more problematic and frustrating.

1)Antihistamines and decongestants
2)Inhaled corticosteroids
3)Medications to treat acid reflux

Adopted from Wei Laboratories, Inc.