Having a chronic cough can be annoying and sometimes painful. Here we break down the causes and potential treatment paths for chronic cough.
A chronic cough is defined as a cough that has been present for 8 weeks or longer in adults and 4 weeks or longer in children.
The 3 most common causes for a chronic cough are upper airway cough syndrome (secondary to postnasal drip that is many times from allergies or sinusitis), asthma, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Other causes may be from post viral infections, pertussis (“whooping cough”), medications for blood pressure (e.g. ACE-I), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), smoking, and a habit cough.
After taking an extensive history, testing may include sinus x-rays/sinus cat scan, chest x-ray/chest cat scan, and spirometry to check lung functions. Referral to the otolaryngologist (ENT) and/or gastroenterologist may be warranted depending on the test results.
Treatment for upper airway cough syndrome may include antihistamines, nasal sprays, and antibiotics. For asthma, inhaled bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids are typically prescribed. For GERD, H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors (PPI’s), and lifestyle changes may be warranted. Smoking cessation for smokers and speech therapy for habit coughing have been shown to be helpful.
Are you struggling with a chronic cough? Make an appointment with one of our providers today!
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