Why do people keep coughing after recovering from a cold?

Experts point out that colds often reflect acute nasopharyngitis, and there is a large amount of secretion in the nasal cavity at this time. Therefore, many patients will have persistent nasal inflammation symptoms after treatment. If there is nasal allergy, nasal reflux and chronic rhinitis will also occur.
In addition, coughing after a cold may be the result of the combined action of multiple physiological and pathological factors, mainly including improper diet, increased airway sensitivity, pharyngitis, etc. Such patients need timely diagnosis and treatment.

1. Rhinitis and nasal reflux cause cough

Most patients will feel a stuck throat at most during the acute stage of a cold, but rarely have obvious cough symptoms. However, after the acute stage, the sore throat and rhinitis have been cured, but the nasal reflux caused by nasal inflammation will cause coughing, and it may even last for several weeks.
Therefore, many people often find "I have recovered from the cold, why am I still coughing?" This means that the cough caused by rhinitis will take longer to calm down, and the children's mycoplasma that was often discussed in the past, or the current influenza, COVID-19 or common cold are all possible situations.

2. Different symptoms caused by the inflamed part of the cold

As for how this type of "chronic cough" is invaded by the virus, why do some colds cause coughs? Some colds do not cough? Experts believe that the most important thing is to look at the main inflamed part of the cold, and the height of the virus accumulation position will be different.
If the virus accumulates at a lower position and closer to the throat, it may be easy to have hoarseness and throat pain, but if the inflamed position is higher, it will be easy to have rhinitis, nasal congestion, nasal reflux, and finally flow to the throat, and there will be constant sputum.
No matter what kind of cold or respiratory virus, it will land like a paratrooper, and it may not be inflamed in the same place every time. Therefore, the symptoms and results caused by different affected parts will also be different, and the most common ones are mainly in the nose and throat.

3. Improper diet

After a cold, if the patient continues to eat spicy, greasy or irritating food, it may irritate the throat and respiratory tract, causing the cough symptoms to persist or worsen; insufficient water intake will also dry the throat, further exacerbating the cough.

4. Increased airway sensitivity

During a cold, airway sensitivity may increase significantly due to the invasion of viruses or bacteria in the respiratory tract. This increased sensitivity makes the respiratory tract more sensitive to small external stimuli such as cold air and smoke, causing coughing. As the cold recovers, airway sensitivity usually decreases gradually, but some patients may continue to cough due to individual differences.

5. Damage to respiratory mucosa

When cold viruses or bacteria multiply in the respiratory tract, they will destroy the integrity of the respiratory mucosa, causing congestion, edema, and even rupture. This mucosal damage not only provides a channel for pathogens to spread, but also directly stimulates the respiratory tract, causing coughing. With the removal of cold viruses and the repair of mucosa, cough symptoms usually gradually ease, but the repair process may take some time.

6. Pharyngitis

If the cold is not treated in time or is not treated thoroughly, it may cause bacteria or viruses to further damage the throat mucosa and cause pharyngitis. Pharyngitis can cause mucosal congestion, edema, and increased secretions, stimulating the respiratory tract to produce a cough reflex. Patients may have symptoms such as sore throat, dryness, and foreign body sensation.

7. Pneumonia

If the cold is severe or not controlled in time, bacteria or viruses may invade the lungs and cause pneumonia. Pneumonia is a serious respiratory disease that causes congestion of capillaries in the alveoli, protein exudation in the alveoli, and stimulates the cough center, leading to coughing. Pneumonia patients usually have symptoms such as high fever, chills, chest pain, and dyspnea, and need to seek medical treatment immediately.

Patients should first clarify the cause of the cough and carry out targeted treatment under the guidance of a doctor. In addition to drug treatment, patients can also relieve cough symptoms by adjusting their diet, keeping the indoor air moist and clean, and avoiding inhalation of irritating gases and particulate matter.

See a doctor as soon as possible if the cough lasts for more than three weeks

In clinical practice, many patients feel that the cold has healed. How long does the cough last before it is necessary to see a doctor? Experts emphasize that "if the cough lasts for more than three weeks, you should see a doctor and be sure to find the cause." If there is "fever and feeling wheezing" in the future, you should also see a doctor as soon as possible.

Nursing tips for patients who keep coughing after a cold

1. Pay attention to rest and isolation in daily life. Patients with colds need to ensure adequate sleep, reduce activity, and avoid overwork; because colds are contagious, patients need to reduce going out and social activities, and wear masks when going out. Indoors, the air should be kept fresh, windows should be opened regularly for ventilation, and contact with others should be minimized to prevent the spread of the virus.

2. Drinking more water helps dilute sputum, promote sputum discharge, and relieve cough symptoms. Intake of fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C, such as oranges and lemons, can also help enhance immunity.

3. Monitoring the condition is as important as taking medicine according to doctor's advice. Patients should monitor body temperature changes regularly. If there is a persistent high fever or large fluctuations in body temperature, they should seek medical attention in time; medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor, and do not purchase and use medication on your own to avoid adverse reactions caused by improper medication.

In addition, everyone can prevent continued worsening of cough by adjusting their daily habits. In addition to taking medicine, it is recommended to drink 100 cc of warm water every 30 minutes, and reduce the intake of "spicy, sweet, and fried" foods, and avoid tobacco and alcohol to avoid irritating the respiratory tract and let the cough heal quickly.

Email: anna@hihealthbio.com

Cell/Wechat/Whatsapp: +86 17809202908

Tel: 0086-29-81142779