treat-cough

Chronic Cough and Triggers

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Our body’s cough mechanism is stimulated by irritants that produce cough.  These irritants are also known as Chronic Cough and its triggers.  Upon learning about Chronic Cough and Triggers, a Center for Cough patient declared, “I’m trigger happy.”

Dr. Sher and Center for Cough team identify the precise Chronic Cough cause and Chronic Cough triggers.  Each person has a unique cough profile.  Understanding your cough profile is the first and most important step toward effective cough treatment.  Chronic Cough can be triggered by a variety of medical conditions.  Below are the  most common Chronic Cough triggers.

Persistent cough that does not go away can be an indication of an underlying serious medical problem. Only precise diagnosis of your cough’s cause and its triggers can reveal if cough is a symptom or if cough is THE problem.

If you or someone you know has Chronic Cough, contact Dr. Mandel Sher at Center for Cough.  A comprehensive cough diagnostic approach and cough treatment plan is the first step toward measurable and lasting cough relief.  Please call:  727-393-8067.

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What’s Making Me Cough?

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Sequence of Actions in the Cough Reflex Pathway Resulting in Cough

The chronic cougher tends to have an increased urge to cough. It can be described as a tickle in the back of the throat. Sometimes it can be a feeling that something is stuck there. Often, there is a feeling of post nasal drip, but rarely any is produced. A hypersensitive or heightened cough reflex requires less stimuli, such as nasal secretions, airborne irritants, acid or gastroesophageal reflux, to trigger a chronic cough. What creates these feelings?

  • Cough receptors in the upper airway (nose), larynx (voice box), lung, and esophagus are activated by direct irritation such as throat infection, post nasal drip or gastric acid (which has contact with the receptors in the larynx/voice box)
  • The receptors send a signal to the cough center in the lower brain area
  • The cough center then decides if there is enough stimulus to set off a cough
  • The cough center becomes hyperactive by repeated stimulation from the peripheral cough receptors
  • The cough center is also influenced by higher brain function which can result in a voluntary and habit cough
  • Stimulation of the upper airway, esophagus, and lung can heighten or sensitize the cough reflex without actually triggering off a cough. For example, acid or even food entering the esophagus from the stomach can send signals to the cough center to become more sensitive or irritable. Allergic nasal symptoms also send signals to the cough center and increase sensitivity.