The difference between lung cancer dry cough and common dry cough

The main difference between the dry cough caused by lung cancer and the ordinary dry cough is that the ordinary dry cough can usually be treated with medication or relieved on its own, while the dry cough caused by lung cancer will not disappear on its own and requires treatment of the tumor itself.

1. Nature and causes: Ordinary dry coughs are usually caused by infections, such as bacteria, viruses or other pathogens. This cough is the body's normal response to infection and is usually accompanied by other symptoms of colds or respiratory infections. The dry cough will gradually ease with the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, cough suppressants and other medications, or over time, as the infection is controlled. In contrast, the dry cough of lung cancer is caused by tumor growth compressing the trachea and irritating the airways. This type of cough is usually more stubborn and will not be relieved by conventional medications. Surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy must be used to shrink or remove the tumor to effectively alleviate the symptoms.

2. Duration of symptoms: Ordinary dry coughs generally improve within a few days to weeks, especially after the infection is under control. Lung cancer dry coughs may last for weeks or even months without obvious signs of relief. If a person's dry cough lasts too long and there are no other obvious symptoms of a cold or infection, it should be taken seriously and promptly sought medical attention.

3. Associated symptoms: Ordinary dry cough is often accompanied by other respiratory symptoms, such as runny nose, sore throat, fever, etc. Lung cancer dry cough may be accompanied by more serious symptoms, such as coughing up blood, chest pain, difficulty breathing, weight loss, etc. If these symptoms occur, especially coughing up blood, you should seek medical attention immediately.

4. Diagnosis and treatment: For common dry cough, doctors can usually diagnose through medical history and physical examination, and give appropriate drug treatment. The diagnosis of lung cancer dry cough requires more detailed examinations, such as chest X-ray, CT scan, bronchoscopy, etc., to determine whether there is a tumor. In terms of treatment, common dry cough can be relieved by medication, while lung cancer dry cough requires tumor-specific treatment, such as surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, etc.

5. Influence of lifestyle habits: Smoking, air pollution and other factors may cause dry cough, but for lung cancer patients, these factors may aggravate the condition. Quitting smoking and avoiding exposure to harmful gases are very important for preventing and relieving dry cough caused by lung cancer.

The nature, duration, accompanying symptoms and treatment of dry cough are the key to distinguishing dry cough caused by lung cancer from ordinary dry cough. For dry coughs that last for a long time and are accompanied by severe symptoms, it is very necessary to seek medical attention for professional examination in time. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, such as quitting smoking and paying attention to air quality, can also help prevent and relieve dry cough symptoms. I hope this information can help everyone better understand and deal with different types of dry coughs.