MONDAY, Feb. 9, 2004 (HealthDayNews) -- Women are more severely affected than men by chronic cough, which hacks away at their quality of life, says a study in the February issue of Chest.
The University of Massachusetts Medical School study found more women than men see a doctor about chronic cough because their quality of life is more compromised by psychological and physical issues related to chronic cough.
Women who seek medical help for chronic cough are more likely than men to suffer from urinary incontinence and feelings of embarrassment.
"There are many reasons why people seek medical treatment for cough, but the extent to which cough affects quality of life may indicate why more women than men seek medical treatment for cough," lead researcher Cynthia T. French says in a prepared statement.
"For women, the severity of cough and its physical and emotional effects make quality of life less than optimal, prompting a trip to the doctor. In men, the effects of chronic cough appear to be less severe and more tolerable," French says.
The study included 116 women and 56 men who sought treatment for chronic cough.
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Here's where you can learn more about chronic cough.
