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Instead of popping a pill or trying the age-old remedies to get rid of cold, know about the cause of it to get treated. Dr Jalil Parkar, Senior consultant and pulmonary physician, Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai lists a few common causes of chronic cold, which might need clinical attention to get treated.
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Recurrent Upper Respiratory tract (URT) infections: One of the most common causes of chronic cold is recurrent upper respiratory tract infections namely the nose, sinuses, pharynx or larynx. Inflammation or infection of the mucous membrane, it shows symptoms like nasal congestion, sneezing, cough and sputum along with cold.
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Allergens like pollen, dust mites, and pet dander can trigger sinus inflammation and lead to infections. Regular cleaning of living spaces and minimizing exposure to known allergens can significantly reduce the risk of sinus issues.
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Low immunity: Yes, if you have low immunity, you are at a high risk of suffering from various illnesses including tuberculosis and chest infection leading to cold. Moreover, even uncontrolled diabetes can lead to low immunity and cold.
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Bronchitis or COPD: Characterised by fever, shortness of breath, fatigue, cough and cold, bronchitis or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) might be an underlying cause of the chronic cold. Hence, not just pneumonia, even lower respiratory tract infections such as bronchitis is also a cause of concern.
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Tonsillitis: A respiratory infection, tonsillitis can also lead to chronic cold as it is a condition that causes swelling of the tonsils due to a bacterial or viral infection. So if you have throat pain and chronic cold, it is wise to consult a doctor immediately.
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Temperature changes: A cause most of us are aware of is the sudden fluctuation in the temperature, which can lead to chronic cold and further worsen it. For example, it might be hot in the afternoon but a drop of around 10 degrees Celsius at night might lead to a cold.
