Persistent Chest Cough

A persistent chest cough, also sometimes called a chesty cough, has many possible causes. Sometimes, a persistent chest cough can be a symptom of a variety of respiratory disorders that produce mucus or phlegm in the chest. Coughing is a reflex by your body as it attempts to clear this phlegm or mucus from your air passages. But you can also have a dry persistent chest cough in which no mucus is produced.

A persistent chest cough is usually broken down into two categories, based on whether mucus is produced or not: a productive cough or a non-productive cough. When you have a productive chest cough, you're able to dislodge mucus from your airways and get it out of your body. This does not happen with a non-productive chest cough: mucus remains in the chest.

Productive chest cough A productive persistent chest cough may be caused by a number of disorders. Not all of them are centered in the chest. For instance, sometimes mucus from a sinus infection drains down your throat and causes a tickle that results in a cough. This is called post-nasal drip.

Other causes of a productive cough include the following.

Viruses - Everyone has had a cold, which typically causes a productive cough. A chest cough caused by a virus may be persistent and "hard to shake," but usually doesn't become chronic. You stop coughing in a few days or a few weeks.

Respiratory or lung infections - There are a number of common lung infections which can clog airways and cause a cough, including pneumonia, bronchitis, sinusitis, or tuberculosis. Each of these produces a persistent chest cough.

Chronic lung diseases - A productive persistent cough may also be a symptom of a serious underlying lung disease like COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

Stomach acid - Sometimes powerful stomach acid backs up into your esophagus, which causes erosion of tissue in your "windpipe." This is known as acid reflux or heartburn. Sometimes this condition becomes chronic, in which case it is known as or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). When this occurs, a chronic cough usually accompanies the condition.

Smoking - Someone who has used tobacco products for a long time may be prone a type of persistent chest cough that's commonly called smoker's cough. It is often a sign of lung damage or irritation of the throat or esophagus.

It's best not to try to suppress a productive cough because it helps to clear mucus from your throat and lungs.

Nonproductive chest coughs As mentioned above, a non-productive cough does not produce mucus. Typically, a non-productive cough is caused by one or more of the following.

Viral illnesses - Sometimes a dry persistent cough remains even after your cold is gone.

Bronchospasms - A bronchospasm is a sudden constriction of the airways, resulting in coughing and difficulty with breathing. Bronchospasms often produce a non-productive night cough. Very often, some form of irritation in the respiratory system is at fault.

Asthma - An estimated 300 million people worldwide have some form of asthma. A chronic dry cough is often a symptom of mild asthma. Other symptoms may include wheezing, shortness of breath, or a feeling of tightness in the chest.

Allergies - Allergies are among the most common causes of coughing, and it frequently feels like it's happening in the chest.
 
Certain medications - Blood pressure medications called ACE inhibitors often produce a non-productive persistent cough in certain individuals.The most commonly prescribed ACE inhibitors include captopril, enalapril, and lisinopril.

Environmental irritants - Animal fur, animal dander, dust, chemical fumes and a variety of other environmental irritants can cause a non-productive cough that appears to be coming from either your throat or your chest.

Persistent chest cough remedies Treating for a persistent chest cough, of course, depends on identifying the underlying cause. Many disorders that are associated with a persistent chest cough go away with a minimum amount of treatment - or no treatment at all. For more information, see our section on cough treatments.

There are a variety of over-the-counter products available online that help clear chest congestion. See persistent chest cough remedies.

However, if you can't stop coughing, your cough lasts for more than a week or so and doesn't seem to be getting better, you should probably talk to your doctor. See your doctor right away if you are coughing up blood or mucus tinged with blood. These can be signs of serious disorders that require immediate medical attention.