What causes a long-term dry cough?

Prolonged dry cough may result from physiological factors such as a dry environment combined with insufficient water intake, or it could be due to pathological conditions like bronchitis or bronchial asthma. It is recommended to seek targeted treatment under a doctor's guidance based on the underlying cause. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Physiological Causes

If the surrounding environment is excessively dry and an individual habitually drinks little water, dehydration of the respiratory mucosa may occur, leading to persistent dry cough. However, this is a normal physiological phenomenon and can usually be relieved by consuming more high-moisture foods such as pears, apples, and watermelons.

2. Pathological Causes

1) Bronchitis
When bronchi become inflamed due to infections caused by mycoplasma or chlamydia, the bronchial mucosa becomes irritated, resulting in a persistent dry cough. It is recommended to follow medical advice and use anti-infective medications such as Amoxicillin Capsules, Moxifloxacin Hydrochloride Tablets, or Penicillin V Potassium Tablets.

2) Bronchial Asthma
When allergens trigger asthma attacks, they can induce hypersensitivity reactions in the airways, causing prolonged coughing. Symptoms can be improved under a doctor’s guidance using medications such as Beclomethasone Dipropionate Nasal Aerosol, Budesonide and Formoterol Fumarate Inhalation Powder, or Montelukast Sodium Tablets.

In addition, chronic dry cough may also occur in patients with emphysema. It is advisable to promptly visit a hospital for professional evaluation and targeted treatment to better alleviate symptoms of dry cough.