Dry cough is that irritating and uncomfortable symptom that is often ignored or treated as a simple inconvenience, however, behind this harmless symptom lurks a host of potentially serious diseases.

A dry cough is a nonproductive cough that does not produce phlegm or mucus. Unlike a productive cough, which helps clear the airways, a dry cough may indicate a more serious problem.

Some of the risks associated with this symptom are, for starters, a persistent irritation that can damage the airways, causing pain, swelling, and difficulty breathing. If not treated properly, this burn can worsen over time and negatively impact a person’s quality of life.

A persistent dry cough can affect your daily life, especially if it gets worse at night. , Photo: Aaron Amat, Getty Images/iStockphoto

In the same way, it can also be a symptom of more serious respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD, chronic bronchitis or even lung cancer, according to the Medline Plus health portal. These conditions require immediate medical attention and accurate diagnosis for proper treatment.

A dry cough can also be a symptom of an upper respiratory infection such as the flu or common cold. These viral diseases are highly contagious and can spread easily through droplets from coughs. It is important to take precautions and seek treatment to prevent the spread of these infections.

diseases associated with dry cough

  • Asthma: Asthma is a chronic airway disease that can cause dry cough, shortness of breath and chest tightness. Seeking medical treatment is essential to control asthma and avoid serious complications.
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): COPD is a progressive disease that obstructs the airflow in the lungs. A chronic dry cough is a common symptom in people with COPD and may indicate a worsening of the condition.

These dangerous diseases can occur due to dry cough

Coughing increases the irritation in the airways. , Photo: pixabay

  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Acid reflux from the stomach into the esophagus can irritate the airways, causing a chronic dry cough. The continued presence of acid in the esophagus can trigger recurring episodes of dry cough, and proper reflux treatment is essential to reduce this symptom.
  • Respiratory Infections: A dry cough is often an early symptom of a respiratory infection such as the flu, common cold, bronchitis or pneumonia. These viral or bacterial illnesses can irritate the airways and cause a persistent cough.
  • Lung cancer: Although not everyone with a dry cough has lung cancer, this persistent and unexplained symptom can be a warning sign of the disease. If your dry cough doesn’t go away and is accompanied by other worrying symptoms, such as unexplained weight loss, shortness of breath, and chest pain, it’s important to see a doctor.

It is worth noting that sometimes the cause of this cough is some kind of allergy or it can be triggered by cigarette consumption or passive smoking.

Woman with cold

Using throat lozenges and warm liquids to soothe the throat is ideal. , Photo: Tom Merton, Getty Images

In view of the above, dry cough should not be underestimated. If it persists over a long period of time or is accompanied by other worrying symptoms, medical attention is necessary, as it can be an indicator of serious underlying respiratory conditions such as asthma, COPD, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and even lung cancer. Is. cancer.

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