what are the causes and treatment for persistent cough?

Question

i have use several expectorant but this gives me a temporary relief,after a short while it reocurs

Answer 1

Acute Cough:

Acute cough has been defined as one with a duration of less than 3 weeks at presentation.1 In general, acute cough usually results from respiratory infections, of which the common cold is the most frequent. Some authors have proposed a category of subacute cough, with a duration of 3 to 8 weeks. Postinfectious cough due to irritation of cough receptors accounts for the bulk of these cases. However, there are no case series assessing the relative frequency of causes in either the acute or subacute categories.

The most common causes of acute cough are listed in Table 1. In the presence of a compatible history and examination, further diagnostic testing is not usually necessary. The mainstay of treatment includes nonspecific antitussive therapy. Under-recognized causes for acute or subacute cough include pertussis and mycoplasma infection. Rarely, life-threatening illness may present primarily with acute cough. Examples include pulmonary embolus, cardiogenic pulmonary edema, and pneumonia.

Chronic Cough:

The causes of chronic cough in the general population have not been systematically assessed. Chronic bronchitis, usually due to cigarette smoking, is thought to be the most common overall cause of chronic cough, but most smokers with cough do not seek medical attention. There have been at least nine systematic studies in adults of cough etiology. In the absence of use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, the pathogenic triad of postnasal drainage (or drip) (PND), asthma, and gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) have consistently accounted for 90% to 100% of cases among immunocompetent adults.1,3-6 The same triad is relevant in children and the elderly.1,3 In 18% to 62% of patients, there are two causes, and in up to 42% there are three.4,5,7 Of note, all these studies involved patients referred to pulmonologists or cough clinics; however, it is likely that a similar spectrum of causes accounts for the majority of patients seen by primary care providers.

Answer 2

Common causes of cough that has persisted for several weeks or longer are smoking, tuberculosis infection, lung cancer, and congestive heart failure.

Which treatment is right for you depends on the cause of your persistent cough. And only a medical doctor through a proper medical investigation can determine the cause of your cough and recommend the right treatment.

Answer 3

My persistent cough is from allergies. I am taking an allergy pill which helps somewhat. I do make sure I always have mints or something like that to keep my mouth and throat moist.

Answer 4

My doctor has given me a steroid inhaler for what he calls 'urban emphysema'. I have lived in Southern California all my life, 51 years, breathing smoggy air, and I have a chronic cough that has only been helped by the inhaler. Before that, other drs told me I had chronic bronchitis, etc.

Answer 5

i think it will help you
http://persistent-cough-in-children.blogspot.com/2013/10/early-identification-of-pneumonia-in.html