What is chronic cough?

When a cough lasts longer than 8 weeks, it is called chronic. This can have various causes. Repeated respiratory infections (circling infections) may lead to a chronic cough.

But there are also other reasons: If a cough persists for a long time, a doctor should clarify whether a chronic respiratory disease is the cause. Worldwide, asthma, chronic bronchitis, and COPD are the most common causes of chronic cough and require medical treatment. Characteristics of these diseases are shortness of breath and coughing to expel what is thought to be foreign matter and mucus from the lungs.

An acute exacerbation is a sudden worsening of symptoms and occurs in asthma and COPD. These attacks can have dire consequences if left untreated. Increased coughing at night may indicate an acute exacerbation several days in advance. This head start can be very valuable for the treatment of an exacerbation, as it allows patients to see a doctor or increase the dose of their medication in time. In this way, the attack can sometimes be prevented before it happens. After the exacerbation, the cough subsides again. In summary, nocturnal cough can be a telling symptom of disease progression and can also provide early warnings of dangerous attacks.

Together with the ETH Zurich, the Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, and the University of St. Gallen, the CSS Health Lab is researching the connection between coughing and the course of chronic diseases. This research has given rise to Resmonics AG, which has developed the technology behind ‘myCough’.

What can I do if I cough?

If you suffer from Cough, you can download myCough. myCough is a pioneering mobile app that allows users to track their cough to monitor potential diseases such as COVID-19, COPD, and Asthma. This app is unique because it uses advanced technology to analyze the user’s cough and provide personalized feedback and recommendations. With myCough, individuals can easily monitor their cough over time and take proactive steps to address potential health issues. Additionally, the app offers privacy by design as all acoustic symptoms are analyzed directly on the device. Overall, myCough is a valuable tool for anyone looking to take control of their respiratory health and stay informed about potential illnesses.