Chest congestion and coughing can be caused by various factors such as viral and bacterial illnesses, smoking, asthma, allergies, and acid reflux. A healthcare professional should be consulted to determine the best treatment plan. Smoking causes permanent lung damage and obstructive lung diseases. Asthma, allergies, and acid reflux can also cause these symptoms.
Chest congestion and coughing are two common health conditions that have many different causes. These uncomfortable sensations often accompany viral and bacterial illnesses such as colds or pneumonia, but they can also be the result of lifestyle choices such as cigarette smoking. Chronic or recurring conditions such as asthma, allergies, and acid reflux can also cause coughing or congestion. An individual experiencing troublesome symptoms should evaluate their situation and, if necessary, visit a healthcare professional to address the problem and determine the best treatment plan.
There are many different short-term illnesses that can cause chest congestion and coughing. The common cold often includes respiratory signs such as cough, runny nose, and congestion. Conditions like whooping cough and croup produce distinctive symptoms. Croup cough is often described as sounding like a seal barking, while whooping cough causes episodes of violent coughing with a characteristic whooping noise as the patient gasps for air.
Cigarette smoking is a destructive habit for lung tissue. Smoke and tar enter and coat the lungs, causing permanent organ damage and obstructive lung diseases such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. A smoker often experiences discomfort such as chest congestion, as well as a cough, sore throat, restricted breathing, and reduced oxygen flow to the body. The harm caused by cigarette smoking is not reversible, but a person who quits smoking and consults with a healthcare professional can often take steps to control symptoms and improve their quality of life.
Asthma and allergies are also causes of chest congestion and coughing. When asthma is accompanied by a dry, nonproductive cough, it is called cough variant asthma. This disease may or may not show other common asthma symptoms such as wheezing and shortness of breath. Asthma can also cause tightness in the chest similar to the feeling of congestion. Similarly, pollen, dust, and animal allergies can cause coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and congestion.
A lesser known cause of these symptoms is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), commonly known as acid reflux. The condition originates in the esophagus with a weak valve that allows acid to escape from the stomach. Stomach acid leaking into the esophagus can stimulate the nerves that cause coughing. It can also inflame the throat and infect the lungs. GERD could also cause the same chest tightness and wheezing normally experienced with chest congestion.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
