Non stop coughing
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Summary
3 papers analyzed
These studies suggest that non-stop coughing can be caused by chronic non-specific cough, habit cough, and factors such as female sex, rhinitis, asthma, tobacco smoking, environmental tobacco smoke, and obesity.
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Understanding Non-Stop Coughing: Causes, Impacts, and Determinants
Chronic Non-Specific Cough in Children
Impact on Quality of Life
Chronic non-specific cough, defined as a persistent cough without a specific diagnosis, significantly affects the quality of life for both children and their families. Research indicates that this type of cough disrupts sleep, limits participation in daily activities, and causes emotional distress. Additionally, it places a substantial demand on healthcare services due to frequent medical consultations and interventions. Parents often experience considerable anxiety regarding the underlying cause of their child's persistent cough, further exacerbating the emotional toll on the family.
Lack of Qualitative Research
Despite the evident impact, there is a notable gap in qualitative research directly involving children. Most studies have relied on quantitative data, with only one study collecting data directly from children, highlighting a need for more comprehensive research approaches to fully understand the children's perspectives and experiences.
Habit Cough: A Functional Disorder
Differentiation from Asthma
Habit cough, often misdiagnosed as asthma, is a functional disorder characterized by persistent coughing without an identifiable cause. Unlike asthma-related coughs, which typically respond to corticosteroids, habit cough does not improve with pharmacological treatments. This misdiagnosis leads to unnecessary medical interventions and increased morbidity due to repeated diagnostic procedures and ineffective therapeutic trials.
Impact on Patients and Families
The persistent nature of habit cough causes significant distress for patients and their families, as they seek a diagnosis and effective treatment. The lack of response to conventional asthma treatments often leads to frustration and confusion among healthcare providers and patients alike.
Determinants of Cough in Young Adults
Prevalence and Types of Cough
Cough is a prevalent symptom among the general population, with nocturnal, nonproductive, and productive coughs being the most common types. A large-scale international survey involving 18,277 young adults from 16 countries found that the median prevalence of nocturnal, nonproductive, and productive coughs were 30.7%, 10.2%, and 10.2%, respectively.
Influencing Factors
Several factors influence the occurrence of different types of cough. Nocturnal and nonproductive coughs are more commonly reported by females, while nocturnal and productive coughs are associated with rhinitis. All three types of coughs are linked to asthma, tobacco smoking, exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, and obesity. These findings suggest that both treatable conditions (like asthma and rhinitis) and avoidable factors (such as smoking) play significant roles in the prevalence of chronic coughs.
Conclusion
Non-stop coughing, whether in children or adults, can have profound impacts on quality of life and overall well-being. Chronic non-specific cough in children disrupts daily life and causes emotional distress for families, while habit cough, often mistaken for asthma, leads to unnecessary medical interventions. In young adults, various factors, including gender, asthma, rhinitis, smoking, and obesity, influence the prevalence of different types of coughs. Addressing these determinants and improving diagnostic accuracy can help mitigate the adverse effects of chronic coughs on individuals and their families.
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