Lung Center

Chronic Cough 10/14/2010

Question:

I have a tickle in my throat causing a chronic cough.This has lasted 6 months.I can`t get a deep breath must of the time due to this tickle and cough.

Answer:

Thanks for your question. It sounds like you have chronic cough which is defined as a cough that has been present for more than 8 weeks. There are many causes of this including medications, upper airway cough (post nasal drip), gastroesophageal reflux (even without symptoms of heartburn), cough variant asthma, infections, and many other causes. 

You should see your doctor and they will get a history from you and do an exam. They may decide to get a chest X-ray or they may try some medications. 

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Response by:

Karen L Wood, MD Clinical Assistant Professor of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine College of Medicine The Ohio State University