The Hidden Cause of Chronic Cough Revealed

Scientists reveal unexpected cause of chronic cough: it's the nervous system, not the lungs

An international team of researchers from the universities of Leicester, Copenhagen, and London has made a breakthrough in understanding the nature of chronic cough. According to the results of a large-scale study published in the European Respiratory Journal (ERJ), persistent cough may be caused not by respiratory diseases, but by disorders in the nervous system.

Scientists analyzed nearly 30,000 cases of chronic cough, combining health information from five international biological databases. They found that people with chronic cough more often have genetic variations associated with altered functioning of certain types of neurons. These are nerve cells responsible for transmitting signals and perceiving sensitive stimuli, including pain impulses.

The study authors explained that increased excitability of the central and peripheral nervous system may underlie the persistent cough reflex. In fact, cough in such cases becomes analogous to chronic pain - a reaction to minimal or even absent irritants.

This discovery could change the approach to treatment: instead of conventional medications aimed at eliminating the symptom, doctors will be able to use agents that affect the neural circuits regulating sensitivity. This approach promises to be effective for patients who do not respond to traditional therapy, including cold and antihistamine medications.