Do I Have a Chronic Cough? Symptoms

Chronic cough is when you have a cough that lasts for eight weeks or longer. The treatment depends on the cause. A home remedy may be sufficient, or you may need to see a doctor for medical treatment.
Most coughs are short-lived. You may catch a virus, cough for a few days or weeks, and then you’ll start to feel better.
Less often, a cough lingers for several weeks, months, or even years. A cough that lasts 8 weeks or more is called a chronic cough.
Coughing might sometimes be uncomfortable, but it actually serves a useful purpose. When you cough, you bring up mucus and foreign material from your airways that can irritate your lungs. Coughing can also be in response to inflammation or illness.

Even chronic coughs often have a treatable cause. They can result from conditions like postnasal drip or allergies. Only rarely are they a symptom of cancer or other potentially life threatening lung conditions.
A chronic cough can have a big impact on your life, though. It can keep you awake at night and distract you from work and your social life. That’s why you should have your doctor check out any cough that lasts for more than a few weeks.

Causes of chronic cough
The most common causes of a chronic cough are:
• asthma
• acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• postnasal drip
• nonasthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis, which involves inflammation in your airways
• angiotensin-converting enzymes (ACE) inhibitors, which are medications used to treat high blood pressure
• smoking
• environmental triggers, such as dust or animal dander
• bacterial bronchitis (in children)

Other causes include:
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• bronchospasm, which can occur after lung infections, such as pneumonia
• whooping cough (pertussis)
• inhaling a foreign object (in children)

Other possible symptoms
Along with the cough, you might have other symptoms, depending on the cause. Common symptoms that often go along with a chronic cough include:
• postnasal drip, or a feeling of liquid dripping down the back of your throat
• heartburn
• hoarse voice
• runny nose
• sore throat
• stuffed nose
• wheezing
• shortness of breath

More serious symptoms are rare, but call a doctor if you:
• become dizzy or faint
• cough up blood
• have night sweats
• are running a high fever
• have trouble breathing or getting enough air
• lose weight without trying
• have persistent chest pain

Complications and risk factors for chronic cough
Chronic cough can affect your quality of life. The cough itself can be uncomfortable, and having a symptom that won’t go away can be frustrating.
Potential complications of a chronic cough include:
• headaches
• fainting
• anxiety or depression
• sleep loss
• urine leakage
• vomiting
• muscle pain
• broken ribs

Risk factors
While chronic cough has many different underlying causes, there are several risk factors and conditions that increase the likelihood of developing it. These include:
• smoking
• weakened immune system
• asthma
• sinus inflammation
• GERD

Home remedies
Depending on what’s causing your cough, these tips may help you manage it:
• Drink lots of water. The extra fluid will loosen and thin mucus. Warm liquids like tea and broth can be especially soothing to your throat.
• If you have acid reflux, try to avoid overeating and eating within 2 to 3 hours before bed.
• Turn on a humidifier to add moisture to the air, or take a hot shower and breathe in the steam.
• Use a saline nose spray or a nasal irrigation device, such as a neti pot. The salt water will loosen up and help drain the mucus that’s making you cough.
• If you smoke, consider asking your doctor for advice on how to quit.