Pulmonary · Condition
Chronic Cough
A cough that lasts eight weeks or longer is considered chronic, and it can wear
down your sleep, your voice, and your patience.
What is Chronic Cough?
A cough that lasts eight weeks or longer is considered chronic, and it can wear down your sleep, your voice, and your patience. Most chronic cough comes down to a handful of causes — and once we identify yours, it’s usually very treatable.
Causes & risk factors
Postnasal drip & allergies
Drainage from the nose and sinuses.
Asthma & reflux
Cough-variant asthma and acid reflux are common culprits.
Medications or irritants
Certain blood-pressure medicines, smoke, and dust.
Recognize These in Yourself or
Someone You Love?
Symptoms
A persistent dry or productive cough
Throat clearing or a tickle
A cough that worsens at night
Hoarseness
How we diagnose it
We work through the common causes systematically, using breathing tests and, when needed, a look at the airways.
Treatment options
Treatment targets the specific cause, and most chronic coughs improve substantially.
Frequently asked questions
When should I worry about a cough?
See us if a cough lasts more than eight weeks, or sooner if you cough up blood, lose weight, or are short of breath.
Why is my cough worse at night?
Reflux and postnasal drip often worsen when lying down — a useful clue when finding the cause.