Chronic cough can be a frustrating and disruptive problem to manage. A cough is considered chronic if it lasts for eight weeks or longer, and it may have significant consequences for your quality of life. However, with the right diagnosis and treatment, you can achieve relief from your chronic cough.
Understanding Chronic Cough
Coughing is one of your body’s key protective measures against illness. When you cough, your body removes microbes and mucus, as well as any foreign particles, from your respiratory tract. This stops them from reaching your lungs and potentially causing infection.
A cough every once in a while is no cause for worry. However, if you find yourself repeatedly coughing for weeks on end, receiving a diagnosis and treatment is in your best interest. Chronic cough can disrupt your sleep, cause frustration, and even lead to problems in social settings.
Possible Causes of Chronic Cough
There are many potential causes of chronic cough. Most commonly, the cough is a result of allergies, asthma, postnasal drip, or acid reflux. However, there are other possible causes of chronic cough, including:
- Chronic infections
- Vocal cord dysfunction
- Antihypertensive (blood pressure) medications
Diagnosing Your Chronic Cough
Chronic cough can be difficult to diagnose. However, with the help of one of the trained specialists at Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates of Tampa Bay, it’s possible to pinpoint the cause of the cough and determine an appropriate treatment option.
To accurately diagnose your case of chronic cough, we’ll gather a full medical history and complete a comprehensive physical exam. Additionally, lung function tests, rhinoscopy, and chest X-rays may be needed to determine the cause of the chronic cough.
Once the cause of your chronic cough has been determined, we’ll move forward to developing a personalized treatment plan. With proven treatment methods and experience in treating chronic cough, our physicians will help you get relief.
