Have you been coughing for over two months? Same here. But ignoring it could be dangerous. Let me drop some truth bombs on the hidden causes of chronic cough.
Allergic Cough
Allergies are a common cause of chronic cough. In my case, I had a dust mite allergy. Once I took antihistamines, the cough stopped instantly. If you have an unexplained cough lasting over 3 weeks, suspect allergies.
GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux)
When stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, it irritates the throat and triggers coughing, especially when lying down. A friend of mine coughed for 6 months due to reflux esophagitis until she was treated with acid suppressants. If you have heartburn along with cough, consider this cause.
Tuberculosis
Pulmonary tuberculosis often has no typical symptoms. If you have a dry cough that lingers, TB cannot be ruled out. Especially endobronchial tuberculosis is invisible on X-ray, delaying diagnosis. One patient coughed for 4 months before being found via bronchoscopy.
Tumor Possibility
If a dry, irritating cough persists for over 2 months, lung tumor should be suspected. A 50-year-old heavy smoker came to my hospital and was diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer. Coughing isn't bad, but if it lasts too long, get checked.
A cough lasting over 2 months is not just a cold. You need to find the cause. Go see a doctor starting today.
