In these times of pandemic, a cough can be a concerning matter. But even though COVID-19 is still spreading, there are several other possible causes for your cough. If you’ve had a cough for a while, even before the pandemic, you may have chronic cough syndrome.
Symptoms
A patient is said to have chronic cough syndrome when they have a cough that lasts for six weeks or more without a known cause. Usually, there is an underlying cause of chronic cough, such as being a smoker, having asthma or allergies, having a postnasal drip, or acid reflux. Remedying the cause will remedy the cough in most cases.
You could have other symptoms that accompany your cough, such as:
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sore throat
- Hoarseness
- Wheezing or shortness of breath
- Heartburn
It is important to discuss your symptoms with your doctor, even if you do not think that they are related. They may want to run some tests to find the cause of your cough.
Diagnosis
Your doctor may go through a series of tests to try to find the cause of your cough. These may include allergy tests,breathing tests for asthma, and/or rhinolaryngoscopy. Based on your symptoms, they may place you on a medication for heartburn and see if it improves your symptoms. They will also ask you about your medications because some blood pressure meds can cause a chronic cough.
Treatment
Treatment of your chronic cough will vary depending on the underlying cause. If you have a smoker’s cough, you should quit smoking as soon as possible. Your doctor can help you find the right method for you. Other chronic coughs without a clear cause can be treated with therapies that decrease throat sensitivity and coughing fits.
If you have had a cough for more than six weeks, contact our office today to schedule an appointment.
