Cough Reflex Test (CRT) Practice

Chronic cough is commonly linked to various conditions that lead to persistent airway irritation or inflammation. Acute sinusitis, on the other hand, is typically characterized by a temporary inflammation of the sinuses, often resulting from an infection. This condition usually causes symptoms like nasal congestion, headache, and facial pain for a limited duration, rather than sustained coughing.

In contrast, asthma, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), and bronchiectasis are all known to be chronic conditions that frequently result in prolonged coughing. Asthma is associated with airway hyperreactivity and inflammation, leading to consistent coughing, especially during outbreaks. GERD can cause irritation of the throat due to acid reflux, contributing to both chronic cough and throat discomfort. Bronchiectasis involves abnormal dilation of the bronchi, which can lead to chronic mucus production and persistent cough.

Thus, seeing acute sinusitis as a self-limiting condition clarifies why it is not typically associated with chronic cough, distinguishing it from the other options linked to long-term cough issues.