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could a bad cough lead to other lung and throat problems?

2007-01-17 07:55:58 · 4 answers · asked by blackc12ovv 1 in Health Diseases & Conditions Respiratory Diseases

4 answers

normal coughing is beneficial to expel excess sputum, a foreign object etc. But a non productive cough that does not go away could cause irritation to the tissues of the throat. Your best move would be to consult your doctor.

2007-01-17 12:41:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

First of all coughing is not a disease it is a symptom, the cause has to be diagnosed.
First the throat than the lung depending on the underlying pathology.

2007-01-17 16:48:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Sometimes it can be (see below).

"Cough
A cough is a sudden, often repetitive, spasmodic contraction of the thoracic cavity, resulting in violent release of air from the lungs, and usually accompanied by a distinctive sound.

Coughing is an action the body takes to get rid of substances that are irritating the air passages. A cough is usually initiated to clear a buildup of phlegm in the trachea; air may move through this passage at up to 480 km/h (300 mph) during a contraction. Coughing can also be triggered by a bolus of food going down the trachea instead of the esophagus, due to a failure of the epiglottis, although this may result in choking instead. Frequent or chronic coughing usually indicates the presence of a disease. Provided the patient is a non-smoker and has a normal chest X-ray, the cause of chronic cough in 93% of all patients is due to asthma, reflux (heartburn) or post-nasal drip. Other causes of chronic cough include chronic bronchitis and medications such as ACE inhibitors. Coughing can happen voluntarily as well as involuntarily.

Coughing during an injection can lessen the pain of the needle stick caused by a sudden, temporary rise in pressure in the chest and spinal canal, inhibiting the pain-conducting structures of the spinal cord.[1]

Cause
The physiological action of coughing is responsible in part to the vagus nerve, which runs through the lungs to the brain. The vagus nerve is activated when capsaicin is released, which stimulates the sensory nerve endings. Centrally acting cough suppressants, such as codeine and dextromethorphan, reduce the urge to cough by inhibiting the capsaicin-induced sensory nerve by depolarization of the vagus nerve. One of the common presentations to the medical practitioner is dry cough. The common causes of chronic dry cough include post-nasal drip; gastroesophageal reflux disease; cough variant asthma; drugs, such as beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, aspirin, which should be investigated in people above 40 years; Post viral bronchial hyperresponsiveness; and habitual cough. When cough lasts for more than a few weeks multiple causes are likely and only when all the causes are treated will the patient be symptom free.

Cigarette smokers often have what is referred to as a Smoker's Cough. This takes the form of a loud hacking cough and often results in the expiration of phlegm.

Beyond the physiological reasons for coughing there are also psychological and even social reasons for coughing which are otherwise known as psychogenic coughing, habit coughing, or tic coughing. We are all familiar with a person who coughs or clears their throat before a public speech as a means to gain the attention of the audience and perhaps releave their own nerviousness. Steruphilia is a condition of loving the sound of coughing or sneezing. If one has ever sat next to someone who seems to enjoy coughing or sneezing loudly in public - they might have simple hay-fever - or they might possibly be a steruphiliac.

Complications
The complications of coughing can be classified as either acute or chronic. Acute complications include cough syncope, fainting spells when coughs are prolonged and forceful, and caused by decreased blood flow to the brain, secondary to raised intrathoracic pressure due to cough. Other acute complications include insomnia, cough-induced vomiting, chest pain due to muscular strain of incessant coughing, rupture of bulla causing pneumothorax.In severe cases, prolonged coughing can cause fatigue fractures of lower ribs and costochondritis, an inflammation of the connective tissue between the breastbone and the ribs. Chronic complications are common. In certain cases, it can even lead to abdominal or pelvic hernias. In women with prolapsed uterus, cough micturition (urination) can result, which can be a major social nuisance. Cough defecation can also occur.

Treatment
Coughs can be treated with cough medicines. Dry coughs are treated with cough suppressants (antitussives) that suppress the body's urge to cough, while productive coughs (coughs that produce phlegm) are treated with expectorants that loosen mucus from the respiratory tract. A recent study indicates that, because of the presence of theobromine in chocolate, 50 grams of dark chocolate may be an effective treatment for a persistent cough."

2007-01-17 16:03:49 · answer #3 · answered by OneRunningMan 6 · 1 1

don't think so
every one coughs

2007-01-17 16:03:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

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