SPONSORED CONTENT -- (StatePoint) A chronic cough isn’t just a nuisance, it can adversely impact quality of life. Chronic coughing can cause lack of sleep, increased anxiety and depression, impaired work productivity and social stigma. Defined as a cough lasting eight weeks or longer, chronic cough impacts an estimated 5% of people in the United States.
People living with a chronic cough may experience spasms sometimes called “spells,” “fits” or “bouts.” These sudden, often intense and uncontrollable coughing episodes can last several minutes, and may cause chest pain, vomiting, difficulty breathing or bladder leakage.
Some people suffer from unexplained chronic cough. Paulette N. spent years searching for answers for her chronic cough. “Everything they told me to do, I would do.” Nevertheless, she sometimes coughs in bouts that disrupt her quality of life, and remains anxious about when the next episode will occur. “Will I start coughing on a plane or at the movies? It’s always on my mind,” she says.
For others, chronic cough is linked to their interstitial lung disease. Mitch F.’s late father Irv was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a type of interstitial lung disease. And like many others living with IPF, Irv had a debilitating chronic cough. Mitch recalls “relentless coughing” that impacted his dad. “He was always trying to clear his lungs. He couldn’t breathe.”
“Maybe the hardest part is that the cough is a constant reminder that my lungs aren’t healthy,” says Rick M., who is living with interstitial lung disease. Rick’s diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis is hard on its own, limiting his physical activity and making it harder to do the things he loves. “But I still persevere. I have to keep moving forward and not let the disease or the cough define me.”
The American Lung Association, with support from Trevi Therapeutics, Inc., recognizes World Chronic Cough Day. Launched by the Global Allergy & Airways Patient Platform, the day is dedicated to giving people living with chronic cough a stronger voice and increased understanding of the condition, and encouraging people with a persistent cough to seek appropriate medical support. Here’s what the Lung Association wants you to know this World Chronic Cough Day and beyond:
Types of Cough Differ: Paulette and Rick have persistent dry coughs – ones that don’t produce mucus or phlegm. Unlike a productive cough, which can help clear irritants or phlegm out of your airway, their coughs do not offer physical relief. Like other types of chronic cough, they can be exhausting, embarrassing and physically uncomfortable.
Treatment: While there are currently no FDA-approved chronic cough treatments, clinical trials are underway to help identify and test new therapies. “My hope is that there will be help and comfort for people like me in dealing with this cough that seems to take control of my life,” says Paulette.
Take Action: Talk to your healthcare provider if you have a cough that has lasted for eight weeks or longer to determine if there is an underlying cause. And if you have a loved one who has a chronic cough, talk to them about steps they can take to help make living with a chronic cough easier.
The Lung Association offers broad Chronic Cough Resources, including patient stories, fact sheets, videos—featuring patient and physician perspectives—a Diagnosis Roadmap, an online support community, and a Chronic Cough Quiz. The free Lung HelpLine offers expert chronic cough information or support by phone, web chat or email. Learn more about chronic cough at Lung.org/chronic-cough.
While chronic cough can be frustrating, understanding it is the first step toward breathing easier.
Photo Credit: (c) Liubomyr Vorona / iStock / Getty Images Plus
