Chronic cough
Specialty of Pulmonology & respiratory medicine
What is a chronic cough?
Most coughs cause discomfort, but they usually serve a use – when we cough, we expel germs, mucus and foreign material from our lungs. Most only last a short time. However, sometimes they linger for weeks or even months.
A chronic cough is defined as one that lasts for eight weeks or longer in adults or over four weeks in children. They can potentially be very disruptive to the patient’s life, interrupting sleep and leading to fatigue, and in severe cases, they can cause vomiting, light-headedness, and even rib fractures.
Symptoms of chronic cough:
The cough itself is a symptom of an underlying condition, but it may be accompanied by other symptoms, some of which may be a result of the coughing.
- Stuffy nose
- Runny nose
- Post-nasal drip
- Sore throat
- Hoarseness
- Wheezing/shortness of breath
- Heartburn
- Sour taste in the mouth
- Coughing up blood
What are the causes of chronic cough?
There are several things that can cause a chronic cough:
- Asthma
- Chronic bronchitis
- Infections, e.g. pneumonia
- Smoking
- Postnasal drip
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Certain medications, e.g. ACE inhibitors for high blood pressure
In rarer cases the following can also be responsible:
- Bronchiectasis (damaged airways)
- Cystic fibrosis
- Lung cancer
- Aspiration
- Sarcoidosis
- Bronchiolitis
- Whooping cough
When to see a doctor
When a cough lasts for more than a few weeks, it is worth having it checked out by a doctor. If you cough up blood, or experience weight loss, fever, or trouble sleeping, you should consult your GP or a specialist.
Treatments for chronic cough
Treatment for chronic cough depends largely on the cause, as treatment tends to be targeted at the underlying illness, rather than the symptom. For example, antibiotics may be prescribed to treat a bacterial infection, while asthma could be treated with steroids and/or bronchodilators. If you have a chronic cough, consult a doctor and follow their advice.
Which type of specialist treats chronic cough?
Specialists in pulmonary and respiratory medicine and otolaryngologists may both treat chronic cough, and other specialties may be involved, depending on the underlying cause.
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Articles related to Chronic cough
What is a chronic cough, and how is it treated?
By Dr Amit Patel
2018-10-17
Dr Amit Patel, leading consultant respiratory physician explains all about chronic cough, including the causes, symptoms, and possible treatment options. See more
Chronic cough: why won’t my cough go away?
By Mr Kalpesh Patel
2018-10-16
A cough is a human reflex that aims to stop the airway becoming blocked so that breathing is not compromised. Mr Kalpesh Patel, top ENT specialist, discusses how a cough can sometimes become a chronic cough. See more
Chronic cough - is it serious?
By Dr Shanthi Paramothayan
2018-10-14
Do you have a cough that just won’t go away? We spoke to expert pulmonologist Dr Shanthi Paramothayan to find out what it could mean, and when to see a doctor. See more
Experts in Chronic cough
-
Dr Amit Patel
Pulmonology & respiratory medicineExpert in:
- Chronic cough
- Breathing problems
- Asthma
- Respiratory diseases
- Lung diseases
-
Dr Atul Gupta
Paediatric respiratory medicineExpert in:
- Asthma
- Chronic cough
- Chest infection
- Bronchiolitis
- Pneumonia
- Wheezing
Dr Amit Patel
Guthrie Clinic, King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, Brixton, Central London
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17-19 View Road, Highgate, North London
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164-178 Cromwell Road, Kensington, Central London
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Dr Atul Gupta
205-209 Portland Street, Central London
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