What are the causes of a persistent dry cough, and how can it be treated?

Dry cough refers to a persistent cough without phlegm. A prolonged dry cough may be caused by dry air, excessive voice use, dietary irritation, cough variant asthma, or chronic pharyngitis. It can be improved by drinking adequate water, reducing voice use, adjusting diet, and using medications. It is recommended to visit a hospital promptly and receive treatment under a doctor's guidance.

1. Dry air: Low humidity can irritate the respiratory mucosa and trigger a dry cough. Using a humidifier to maintain indoor humidity between 40% and 60%, along with drinking 1500-2000 ml of warm water daily, can help moisturize the respiratory tract.

2. Excessive voice use: Prolonged loud speaking or singing can damage and dry out the throat mucosa, resulting in a dry cough. Reduce voice use to allow vocal cords to rest adequately. After using your voice, consider drinking teas made with ingredients like Semen Sterculiae Lychnophorae (Pangdahai) or Siraitia grosvenorii (luo han guo) to soothe the throat.

3. Dietary irritation: Consuming excessive spicy or salty foods can irritate the throat and respiratory tract, causing a dry cough. Adjust your diet to avoid such irritants and consume more bland fruits and vegetables like pears and lilies.

4. Cough variant asthma: Chronic airway inflammation caused by genetic and environmental factors results in chronic cough, often occurring at night or in the early morning. It is recommended to use medications such as budesonide inhaler, salbutamol inhaler, and montelukast sodium tablets under a doctor's guidance to alleviate symptoms.

5. Chronic pharyngitis: Repeated episodes of acute pharyngitis or long-term tobacco and alcohol use can lead to chronic inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa and lymphoid tissues, causing sensations of a foreign body or itching in the throat, which may lead to dry cough. Patients may follow medical advice to use medications such as Guilin Watermelon Frost tablets, Qinghou Liyan granules, or compound borax mouthwash to relieve discomfort.

In daily diet, it is recommended to maintain a balanced dietary structure and diversify food intake to help sustain overall health.

References:

[1] Yu Xian. Research progress in the treatment of chronic dry cough[J]. Chinese Journal of Industrial Medicine, 2022, 39(02): 141-142.

[2] Li Yongshun. Clinical study of self-formulated dry cough formula in treating cough variant asthma (wind-cold type)[D]. Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 2023.