Medical Conditions in focus
Chronic cough
A chronic cough is a cough that lasts longer than eight weeks and can have various causes. Common causes include asthma, chronic bronchitis, reflux (reflux of stomach acid), allergies or so-called postnasal drip – i.e. nasal secretions running down the throat and triggering a cough. Certain medications or infections can also lead to chronic cough.
Assessment and diagnosis
Assessment of chronic cough requires patience and is a step-by-step process. Firstly, the symptoms are discussed in detail and a physical examination is carried out. Depending on the suspected diagnosis, lung function tests, X-rays or blood tests are often performed in order to rule out serious illnesses and find the cause of the cough.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the cause: inhalation medication is used for asthma, while dietary changes and medication often help with reflux. Postnasal drip is usually treated with decongestant nasal sprays or anti-allergic medication. Sometimes, however, the exact cause remains unclear and treatment is focussed on alleviating the symptoms.
It is important to know that a proper assessment takes time and that a clear cause can’t always be found.