When to Worry About a Persistent Cough

Coughs from a cold or laryngitis are normal. When you have a fever, spitting up phlegm, feeling miserable, a cough, and perhaps a sore throat, you call your primary care physician. You may have bronchitis or pneumonia.

But what about a cough that you can’t seem to shake? When should you see a doctor? Our board-certified allergists with Advanced Allergy & Asthma answer your questions about a persistent cough.

There are a whole host of reasons why you could have a persistent cough — from allergies to cancer. It’s important to seek medical attention if your cough doesn’t abate in a few weeks.

Following are some common reasons you need to see a specialist for your stubborn cough.

Allergies

An unrelenting cough may be a symptom of an undiagnosed allergy. You can develop an allergy at any time during your life. If you develop a persistent cough in early spring when the trees are starting to bud, you may have become allergic to certain trees. Alternatively, ragweed or other environmental pollen may be to blame if you start to cough frequently in the fall.

If you develop an allergy, your immune system produces a substance called histamine to counter what your body thinks is an unwelcome invader. The histamine inflames your airway. The cough is your body’s way of expelling what’s irritating. A runny nose, nasal congestion, and watery or itchy eyes characterize many allergies.

Our expert allergy specialists get to the root of your persistent cough. We order imaging tests to rule out other causes of your distress, such as a growth on your lung. We perform blood and skin tests for a host of allergens and prescribe medication or recommend allergy shots for allergies that cause repeated coughing.

Asthma

If you have asthma, you have an inflammatory condition in your lungs. You can develop asthma as an adult.

The causes of adult-onset asthma aren’t well understood, although genetic predisposition and environmental triggers play a role. If a close relative has asthma, you’re more at risk of it. Being obese, experiencing hormonal changes, and being exposed to pet dander, smoke, or other environmental substances all can result in adult-onset asthma.

We treat asthma according to your specific symptoms. Oral medication, inhalers, avoiding triggers, or allergy shots may be needed.

Sinus infection

A cough is one symptom of a sinus infection. Allergies can trigger sinus infections. Your reaction to the allergy can block your sinuses, leading bacteria to multiply. You may have mucus in your throat and nose and feel pressure around your eyes and nose.

If you have chronic sinus infections, we test you for allergies. Nasal sprays and oral medication help relieve sinus infections.

We also check to see if you have a deviated septum or other structural abnormality. If you do, we refer you to an otolaryngologist who can perform a procedure to expand your sinus pathways.

GERD

One of the most common symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is heartburn. However, for some people, a persistent, dry cough is one of the major symptoms of GERD. GERD can make asthma symptoms worse.

If we diagnose GERD, dietary changes can often resolve the discomfort. If the condition is uncontrolled, physicians prescribe medication to suppress stomach acid.

COPD

If your imaging test reveals lung abnormalities, we refer you to a pulmonologist. You may need a CT scan which helps diagnose COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.