Cough and Chest Pain

Cough is one of the first counter reaction of the body to external invasion of pathogens or parasites. It is a relatively minor symptom as long as it is not accompanied or followed by any other symptom. If followed by other symptoms like fever, headache, chest pain, shortness of breath, etc. one should note that there are serious underlying causes for it. Here we will see more on cough and chest pain. What are the causes of chest pain and cough? Let us have a look.

What Causes Cough and Chest Pain

As mentioned above, chest pain and cough is mostly caused due to disorders of lungs. One should also note that cough can be of different types like dry cough, severe cough or even cough that produces mucus. The following are some of the causes of cough and chest pain.

Asthma
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disorder which is characterized by inflammation or swelling in the airways. The inflammation makes breathing difficult and also makes the person susceptible to allergic reactions. When a person has an asthmatic attack, symptoms like shortness of breathing, wheezing, dry cough and chest pain are observed. Asthma is an incurable disease and also one of the most important cause of cough and chest pain in children.

Bronchitis
Bronchitis is also a respiratory disease which is caused when the bronchi (or branches) of the trachea get inflamed due to bacterial or viral infection. Allergic reactions, exposure to industrial pollutants and smoke are the significant causes of bronchitis. Apart from cough and chest pain, slight fever, shortness of breath, headache and blocked nose are the symptoms of bronchitis. All these symptoms are observed in case of acute as well as chronic bronchitis.

GERD
Gastroesophageal Reflux Diseases (GERD) or acid reflux disease is caused when the acid in the stomach seeps back into the esophagus due to malfunctioning of the lower sphincter muscles. Smoking, irregular eating habits, eating very spicy food, especially at night, are the common causes of GERD. Discomfort in throat, bad taste in mouth, chest pain, cough, heartburn, nausea, etc. are the symptoms of GERD.

Pneumonia
Pneumonia is also a respiratory disorder characterized by inflammation in the lungs caused due to viral or bacterial infection. It is often confused with bronchitis. However, between bronchitis vs pneumonia, only a medical practitioner can tell the exact difference. Fever, shortness of breath, mucus producing cough and chest pain are the symptoms of pneumonia.

Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is an infectious disorder of the lungs caused by bacteria known as mycobacterium tuberculosis. Any person coming in contact with this bacteria can contract the disease. But people with a weakened immune system are at a higher risk of contracting tuberculosis. One should remember that tuberculosis is a highly contagious disease and can be transmitted from an infected person to the healthy one thorough contact. Slight fever, fatigue, weight loss, severe cough and chest pain are the prominent symptoms of tuberculosis.

How to Get Rid of Cough and Chest Pain

As all the above mentioned causes of cough and chest pain are serious medical conditions, one should not ignore the symptoms. If any of the above mentioned symptoms are observed, one should consult the doctor immediately, as all these diseases can be treated effectively. Although asthma is incurable, there are several treatment options available that help in alleviating the symptoms. Inhalers, medications, drugs, nebulizers, etc are effective in treating asthma. On the other hand, diseases caused by bacteria like bacterial bronchitis, bacterial pneumonia and tuberculosis can be treated through antibiotics. Viral infections usually subside after some time. GERD is not a serious disorder and can be treated with antacids or with certain home remedies.

Cough and chest pain can be prevented by maintaining hygiene to keep away viral and bacterial infections. On the other hand, one should also have a balanced diet and regular exercise to enhance immunity as stronger immunity makes a person less susceptible to infectious diseases.