Common Causes

Several conditions may contribute to a chronic cough. The most common causes include:

post-nasal drip from sinus or allergy conditions 

• asthma or airway inflammation
• gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• chronic bronchitis or smoking-related lung disease
• certain medications such as ACE inhibitors

Environmental irritants such as smoke, pollution, dust or chemical exposure can also trigger persistent coughing.

Possible Symptoms

Chronic cough may occur with other symptoms depending on the underlying cause, including:

throat irritation or frequent throat clearing 

• mucus production
• hoarseness
• wheezing or shortness of breath
• fatigue due to persistent coughing

Persistent coughing can affect sleep, daily activities and quality of life.

Management

Management of chronic cough depends on identifying and treating the underlying cause. Evaluation may include a medical history, physical examination and investigations such as lung function testing or imaging depending on symptoms.

Patients with any chronic cough are recommended to seek medical advice.

References

Content adapted from information provided by the Canadian Lung Association:https://www.lung.ca/lung-health/lung-diseases/chronic-cough/