CHEST Guidelines-Complications-of-Chronic-Cough

Complications-of-Chronic-Cough_chest

Pdf Summary

Chronic cough significantly impacts the quality of life for adults, causing psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, sleep loss, and social isolation due to the disruption it causes in quiet activities like concerts and religious services. Patients may face social and physical complications including urinary incontinence, dizziness, vomiting, exhaustion, and headaches. Chronic cough is associated with multiple pulmonary conditions and poses risks that other symptoms like pain or dyspnea do not, sometimes leading to serious physical harm or even death.<br /><br />Although treating chronic cough is challenging, both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic approaches are necessary. Traditional medications, such as antitussives and neuromodulators, often prove ineffective or cause unacceptable side effects. Innovative treatment methods suggest promising results. Nonpharmacologic interventions involving speech therapists or physiotherapists have been shown to improve life quality and reduce cough frequency through techniques like cough suppression, breathing exercises, and hydration strategies. <br /><br />Future research is required to identify specific patient groups most likely to benefit from these interventions and optimize their integration into current treatment protocols. Customized treatments may involve multidisciplinary cough clinics and complementary therapies such as acupuncture, though these are less studied. Moreover, early palliative care for symptom management is an underutilized resource.<br /><br />Scientists are exploring the precise mechanisms of chronic cough, such as the potential neurologic up-regulation of airway receptors or genetic factors contributing to cough severity. Chronic cough not only deteriorates quality of life for patients but can also accelerate disease progression and lead to serious complications, highlighting the necessity of more research and innovative treatment strategies. The recognition of cough-related complications and their management should be better integrated into clinical practice to improve outcomes for patients suffering from chronic cough.

Keywords

chronic cough

quality of life

psychological issues

nonpharmacologic interventions

pharmacologic treatment

innovative methods

pulmonary conditions

multidisciplinary clinics

neurologic mechanisms

palliative care