Chronic cough - is it serious?
Written by:
Pulmonologist
Published: 31/07/2018
Edited by: Nicholas Howley
Do you have a cough that just won’t go away? We spoke to expert pulmonologist Dr Rachel Limbrey to find out what it could mean, and when to see a doctor.
What is a chronic cough?
A chronic cough is one that lasts for more than 3 weeks. A cough may be dry or it may be productive, which means that you cough up sputum.
What are the most common causes of chronic cough?
The common causes of a dry cough in a non-smoker include asthma, post nasal drip, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and some medication taken for high blood pressure called ACE inhibitors. A productive cough in a non-smoker is usually due to a respiratory infection. These coughs can persist for weeks if the correct antibiotics are not prescribed.
A persistent cough in a smoker must always be investigated, as a chronic cough is a common symptom of lung cancer. Therefore, individuals with a current or past medical history of smoking with a cough lasting more than 3 weeks should see their GP and have a chest X-ray.
What other symptoms often come with chronic cough?
A cough may be associated with other respiratory symptoms, depending on the cause. This includes breathlessness, coughing up blood (called haemoptysis) and chest pain. If the cough is due to an infection, then the individual may experience fever, night sweats and weight loss.
How can a chronic cough be treated?
The treatment of a chronic cough depends on the underlying reason for it.
After investigations a diagnosis will be made and then the correct treatment must be prescribed. If the patient has asthma, then inhalers will be given.
If the reason for the cough is post nasal drip, then nasal sprays can be helpful, and for acid reflux medication to suppress acid (called proton pump inhibitors) can be helpful.
What is the outlook for chronic cough?
This depends on the cause. Most chronic coughs will get better with the right treatment.
However, a significant number can be difficult to clear completely as it may be due to a combination of factors or due to a rare condition. Some patients with a persistent chronic cough may require referral to a specialist cough clinic.
Dr Rachel Limbrey is a renowned specialist in general and respiratory medicine based in Southampton. If you would like to book a consultation with Dr Limbrey you can do so today via her Top Doctors profile.