Here are the life-threatening conditions that start with a cough;

 Lung cancer

cough, cough causes

Smoking is one of the risk factors that cause lung cancer. The cancer develops when the tissue cells of the lungs undergo uncontrollable proliferation. Coughing, in this case, occurs as a result of intrabronchial protrusion of the tumour.

A study from Sheffield Hallam University notes that you should see a doctor if a cough persists for over three weeks. At the early stage of cancer, the victim is said to cough up blood which should never be ignored.

Cystic fibrosis

cough, cough causes

It is a genetic disorder that can be inherited from a parent, characterized by abnormal thick, sticky phlegm.

“The mucus clogs the airways and traps bacteria, leading to infections, extensive lung damage, and eventually, respiratory failure,” notes The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, as quoted by Health 24.

The condition normally interferes with the proper functioning of the lungs and pancreas.

Coughing is an early sign of cystic fibrosis. At some time the coughing might be accompanied with a wheezing sound.

Atelectasis

cough, cough causes

The disease is characterized by the collapse of a part of or the whole lung caused by inner factors rather than a pneumothorax. You will experience some pain on your chest while coughing.

Sarcoidosis

cough, cough causes

Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that affects many organs in the body. A study by the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research found that it triggered heightened immunity, “which means that a person’s immune system, which normally protects the body from infection and disease, overreacts and damages the body’s own tissues”. When sarcoidosis affects the lungs (also called pulmonary fibrosis) inflammation can scar lung tissue leading to reduced oxygen levels. A dry cough that persists, and struggling to breathe are potential signs of this disease.

Pulmonary oedema

cough, cough causes

Pulmonary oedema means that there is excess fluid in the lungs. The fluid collects in the air sacs, making it difficult to breathe. A cough that produces sputum with small bubbles can be a sign of pulmonary oedema, research from the University of Maryland found. It is advisable to consult a doctor when you produce pink, frothy sputum during a cough.