Persistent Dry Cough

Persistent dry cough can be a very annoying condition, as it prevents you from concentrating on your daily chores. Also, coughing continuously in an unexpected place like a theater can be quite embarrassing. Dry cough which is persistent usually follows after a cold or due to allergies, but can sometimes be a symptom pointing to a serious condition.

Persistent Dry Cough Causes

A person can catch cough easily with common infection, and the cough can develop into a persistent and dry cough. Given below are the common causes of this condition.

• Infections like common cold and flu, are common causes of persistent and dry cough in children and adults
• Allergies of dust, pollens, grain can also cause dry cough
• Whooping cough or pertussis is another reason for persistent and dry cough
• Post nasal drip or rhino-sinusitis also leads to dry persistent cough
• Upper respiratory tract infection is another common cause of dry persistent cough
• Asthma is another condition that can lead to dry cough in children and adults
• Smoking is also a common cause of dry cough, hence smoker's should consider quitting
• Laryngitis, which is the inflammation in throat, is another cause for dry cough
• People having symptoms of reflux, heartburn or acid reflux disease also get continuous dry cough
• Drugs like ACE inhibitors, which are used to treat disorders like hypertension, are also common causes of dry cough
• Dehydration can also give a person persistent dry coughing
• Bronchitis, which is inflammation on the membranes lining the bronchial tubes, can lead to persistent and dry cough
• Dry air can also be a factor contributing to dry cough

Persistent Dry Cough Symptoms

With the cough becoming persistent, the symptoms of dry cough, or the infection become worse. Here, are some of the symptoms that accompany persistent dry coughing:

• Mild to high fever
• Headache
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Pain in throat and other body areas like the head, nose and chest
• Difficulty sleeping
• Loss of appetite
• Severe coughing
• Persistent cough at night

Persistent Dry Cough Treatment

It is important to treat the underlying cause in cases of severe persistent dry cough. However, you can first try out some home remedies for dry cough treatment mentioned below.

Salt Water Gargling: The best natural remedy to treat any throat infection is salt-water gargling. To try this remedy, boil 2 glasses of water, with 2 tablespoons of common table salt, and wait till the solution gets lukewarm before gargling. Repeating this remedy at least 3 times a day is recommended, though you can use this remedy as many times as required.

Myrrh Remedy: Another gargling remedy is using Myrrh. Myrrh is anti-microbial and helps greatly to soothe the aching muscles, it is an expectorant and provides good relief. Add ½ teaspoon of Myrrh to 2 cups of lukewarm water, gargle with this solution and then swallow it. Use this remedy 3-4 times a day.

Honey and Pepper: Honey is known for its antibiotic properties. Honey and pepper make an excellent remedy for dry cough. In a bowl take a tablespoon of honey and a pinch of pepper, mix it well. Then lick this mix slowly. Do this every night after dinner. This dry cough remedy greatly helps to subside the dry cough problem.

Vitamin C: Load yourself with vitamin C, as it helps in fighting infection by improving the body's immunity. You can take supplements or eat natural foodstuffs like papaya, oranges, lemons which are rich in vitamin C.

Drink Plenty of Water: If you are experiencing persistent dry cough due to dehydration, then you need to drink plenty of water to keep your throat moist. On an average, an individual should drink around 2 liters of water everyday.

Humidifier: In case you are experiencing dry cough due to dry air in the house, consider installing a humidifier. Make sure you use distilled water for the humidifier and keep it free of any dust. Installing a humidifier will provide constantly moist air, which will help you get relief from dry cough.

Steam Therapy: To keep your nose and throat moist you can also try steam inhalation. For this remedy fill a pot one third with water and cover it with a lid. Let the water boil for few minutes. Then take the pot off the stove, cover your head with a towel, and inhale the steam through your mouth.

Anti-Allergy Medications: If you have an allergic reaction to something which is giving you the cough, then avoid coming in contact with the allergen. Also, to get relief from allergic coughing consider taking an antihistamine. You can find these medications over-the-counter.

OTC Cough Syrups: You can buy a dry cough syrup over-the-counter. This will provide you symptomatic relief. Make sure you buy a cough syrup for dry cough and not chest cough.

Medical Treatment
Seeking medical attention when suffering from persistent and chronic dry cough, should be given top priority, as a persistent and prevalent dry cough can be sign of a serious health disorder of severe lung infection. Initial investigations involve chest X-rays and a detailed discussion of the patient's history on upper respiratory tract disorders. The doctor might also directly check the nasal passages and throat together, and a CT scan can also be done.

After the initial tests the doctor might prescribe you a specific dry cough treatment and ask you to report back to him/her after few weeks. If the treatment fails, tests and examinations, including a CT scan of the full thorax, full lung functional tests and bronchoscopy will be suggested for further investigation.

So it is important that you seek medical attention if you are showing chronic persistent dry cough symptoms. However, if your condition is not severe then try some home remedies first. In case the remedies don't have any effect in 10 days, seek medical help. The doctor will help you to figure out the underlying cause, and provide the appropriate treatment.