Chronic cough

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Complications

By Mayo Clinic staff

Having a persistent cough can be exhausting. The physical action of coughing depletes your energy reserves and disrupts your sleep. A chronic cough can also cause:

  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Excessive sweating
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Fractured ribs, especially in women with fragile bones
References
  1. Cough. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/cough/cough_all.html. Accessed March 11, 2011.
  2. Chung KF, et al. Cough. In: Mason RJ, et al. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/192068760-2/0/1288/0.html. Accessed March 11, 2011.
  3. Kraft M. Approach to the patient with cough. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/191371208-2/0/1492/0.html#. Accessed March 11, 2011.
  4. Silvestri RC, et al. Evaluation of subacute and chronic cough in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 11, 2011.
  5. Weinberger SE, et al. Treatment of subacute and chronic cough in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 14, 2011.
DS00957 May 14, 2011

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