What causes coughing?

Coughing should be very common in normal times, right? Do you know the causes of coughing? There are many causes of coughing. Sometimes coughs are caused by colds, which is also the most common cause of coughing. There are also pneumonia, bronchitis, and pharyngitis. When coughing occurs, everyone should understand the cause of the cough.

Coughing is a very common phenomenon. We should understand the reasons for coughing in time. There are many reasons that can cause coughing. Let us understand the causes of coughing in detail, which will also help with treatment.

The formation and recurrence of cough are often the result of the combined effects of many complex factors.

1. Inhaled substances Inhaled substances are divided into two types: specific and nonspecific. The former include dust mites, pollen, fungi, animal dander, etc.; non-specific inhalants include sulfuric acid, sulfur dioxide, chloramine, etc. Specific inhalants of occupational cough include toluene diisocyanate, phthalic anhydride, ethylenediamine, penicillin, protease, amylase, silk, animal dander or excrement, etc. In addition, non-specific ones include formaldehyde, formic acid, etc.

2. The formation and onset of infectious cough are related to recurrent respiratory tract infections. Patients with cough may have specific IgE to bacteria, viruses, mycoplasma, etc., and inhalation of the corresponding antigens may induce coughing. After viral infection, the respiratory epithelium can be directly damaged, resulting in increased respiratory tract reactivity. Some scholars believe that interferon and IL-1 produced by viral infection increase the histamine released by alkaliphilic granulocytes. During the infant period, many children develop cough symptoms after being infected by respiratory viruses (especially respiratory syncytial virus). Coughing caused by parasites such as roundworms and hookworms is still seen in rural areas.

3. Food-induced coughing attacks due to diet are common in cough patients, especially infants and young children who are prone to food allergies, but this phenomenon gradually decreases with age. The most common foods that cause allergies are fish, shrimp, crab, eggs, milk, etc.

4. Climate change: Changes in air temperature, temperature, air pressure and/or air ions can induce coughing, so it is more common in cold seasons or when the climate changes in autumn and winter.

5. Mental factors: The patient's emotional excitement, nervousness, resentment, etc. can all trigger coughing attacks. It is generally believed that it is caused by cerebral cortex and vagus nerve reflex or hyperventilation.

6. Exercise: About 70% to 80% of cough patients develop cough after strenuous exercise, which is called exercise-induced cough or exercise cough. Clinical manifestations include cough, chest tightness, shortness of breath, wheezing, and wheezing can be heard by auscultation. Although some patients do not have typical asthma symptoms after exercise, lung function tests before and after exercise can reveal bronchospasm.

7. Cough and drugs Some drugs can cause cough attacks, such as propranolol, which causes cough by blocking β2-adrenergic receptors.

Everyone should know what causes coughing. If you have a cough, you should be able to find the cause in time. If it is caused by a cold, you should treat the cold in time. If it is caused by other causes, you should also actively receive scientific treatment to avoid other diseases caused by coughing.