7 Things Coughing Can Do to Your Body
A cough can be described as a rapid
expulsion of air from the lungs to clear the throat and airways of
mucus, foreign particles, fluids, microbes, and various irritants. In a
2013 review, it was found that the average cough lasts around 18 days.
Any cough that lasts for more than eight weeks can be regarded as
chronic and it is therefore advised that you seek medical help. Yet
despite the advice, many people let a persistent cough go untreated for
too long. Here are seven signs that indicate your cough is symptomatic
of something more serious.
Structural damage
A cough can affect your health in
unexpected ways. It may indicate illnesses like tuberculosis (TB) and
some cancers. In addition, a chronic cough can also cause social
embarrassment, interfere with sleep patterns, and cause headaches and
urinary incontinence. But it doesn't just stop there! Violent,
persistent coughing can actually cause 'structural' damage to your body.
Let's take a look at 7 such situations:
1. Muscular pain
Persistent coughing can lead to chronic muscular pain. So every time you
have a coffee fit, strong pressure is generated which can strain
muscles, causing pain.
2. Cracked ribs
Rib fractures which are caused by chronic
coughing generally occur in women. The middle ribs along the side are
mostly affected. One of the risk factors is lower bone density. But a
cough-induced rib fracture is possible and can happen in people with
normal bone density.
3. Damage to small blood vessels
A violent coughing fit may cause fine blood vessels, such as in the anus
and nose, to burst, which can lead to a hemorrhage.
4. Rupture of the diaphragm
During the expiratory phase of a cough, the
diaphragm contracts. During forced respiratory movements, the diaphragm
is pushed upward while the ribs are pushed inward and downward.
Consequently, this opposing action can at times result in diaphragmatic
rupture.
5. Abdominal hernia
While damage to the abdominal wall after coughing is rare, it may
require surgical intervention. Abdominal herniation and abdominal muscle
tears have been reported. However, abdominal muscle tears are difficult
to detect and mostly occur in patients who suffer from chronic
bronchitis. Yet, abdominal hernias which are generally caused by a cough
are easier to detect.
6. Tissue damage in the throat
Persistent coughing can cause throat
infections. This can lead to an infection risk to other parts of the
body. Inflammation in the tissues of the throat may also be caused by a
chronic cough.
7. Coughing up blood
Known as hemoptysis, coughing up small amounts of bright red blood or
frothy blood-streaked saliva and phlegm indicates that blood from your
lungs is due to a prolonged coughing or a chest infection.