Paroxysmal coughing is an uncontrolled violent cough that is painful and exhausting.
During a paroxysmal cough you will usually struggle to breathe and may also vomit.
The most common cause of a paroxysmal cough is whooping cough or pertussis.
One to 2 weeks after the first symptoms start, people with whooping cough may develop paroxysms—rapid, violent, and uncontrolled coughing fits.
These coughing fits usually last 1 to 6 weeks but can last for up to 10 weeks.
Coughing fits generally get worse and become more common as the illness continues.
There are three major types of cough, wet/productive, dry and paroxysmal.
A wet or productive cough typically brings up mucus.
A dry cough does not produce any mucus.
Violent, uncomfortable, uncontrollable coughing fits typify a paroxysmal cough.
Paroxysmal cough is contagious and people can spread the bacteria from the start of the very first symptoms and for at least 2 weeks after coughing begins.
Taking antibiotics early in the illness may shorten the amount of time someone is contagious.
The most common respiratory causes of a chronic cough include postnasal drip, postinfectious, and asthma.
Environmental factors include smoking, both active and passive; this is the most frequent environmental factor.
Several kinds of conditions can cause a recurrent, lingering cough, but the lion's share are caused by just five: postnasal drip, asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), chronic bronchitis, and treatment with ACE inhibitors, used for high blood pressure and heart failure.