What Causes A Dry Cough? 

Constant Dry Coughing Causes Can Be Hard To Diagnose

The answer to the question what causes a dry cough is many different things.  Constant dry coughing causes can be especially hard to determine, and in many cases, you need the help of a doctor to figure out what causes a dry cough. For that reason, it's important for you to pay close attention to your symptoms so you can describe them to your doctor in detail. Cures for a dry cough depend on identifying the cause. 

Here are just some of the conditions and illnesses that cause a dry cough at some stage.

• Acute Bronchitis - usually caused by viruses that attack the lining of the bronchial tree and cause infection. Symptoms of bronchitis include constant dry coughing, a sore throat, chest congestion, shortness of breath, wheezing, body aches and chills.
• Allergies - millions of people suffer respiratory allergies that come from airborne pollutants and irritants.
• Asbestosis - a respiratory disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. Chest pain and shortness of breath are among the symptoms that usually accompany the dry cough.
• Asthma - airways become inflamed, causing attacks of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing.
• Common cold - may start as a dry cough but is more likely to produce a wet, productive cough as it progresses.
• Croup - caused by swelling around the vocal cords that triggers a "barking" cough. See our article "What Is The Croup Cough?"
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease - also called GERD or acid reflux. Acidic stomach acid "backs up" into the esophagus, irritating tender tissue and causing constant dry coughing.
• Laryngitis - swelling, irritation and inflammation of the voice box.
• Legionnaires' disease - this may cause either a productive or non-productive cough.
• Lung cancer - constant dry coughing may be a symptom of lung cancer. But lung cancer may also produce a wet cough that's tainted with blood.
• SARS - this disease usually causes a dry cough
• Swine flu - a hacking dry cough may continue for weeks.
• Whooping cough - this is a contagious bacterial disease that causes
  violent coughing. Also see whooping cough.

Some people begin to experience a dry cough without any sign of a cold or other condition. They'll call their doctor and ask for antibiotics thinking their dry cough is caused of some kind of lung or respiratory infection. In fact, it may not be related to an infection at all. This is true because sometimes a dry cough is caused by certain blood pressure medications known as ACE inhibitors. 

Once you and your doctor have identified what causes your dry cough, you may find a number of over the counter medications that help you stop coughing. Click on medications for stopping a dry cough for more information on these products.