Chronic Cough โ Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis
Imaging Procedures
Health professionals use imaging to look for lung disease, infections, or structural problems that may cause a chronic cough. Chest X-rays can check for pneumonia, lung cancer, tuberculosis, bronchiectasis, or other lung conditions.
| Imaging Test | What It Can Show | Possible Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Chest X-ray | Tumors, infection, TB, nodules | Lung cancer, pneumonia, TB |
| CT scan | Small lesions, detail of airways | COPD, fibrosis, bronchiectasis |
| Sinus CT | Sinus inflammation, fluid | Sinusitis, upper airway cough syndrome |
X-rays do not usually show common causes like asthma, GERD, or postnasal drip, but they can reveal less common problems.
CT scans (Computerized Tomography) provide more detail than standard X-rays and may show small infections, tumors, or changes from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that regular X-rays miss.
Sometimes, a sinus X-ray or CT helps identify sinus infections that can lead to upper airway cough syndrome.
Tests of Breathing Ability
Lung function tests help diagnose airway diseases. These include spirometry, which measures how much air a person can breathe out and how fast.
Spirometry helps find asthma, COPD, chronic bronchitis, or cough-variant asthma. Sometimes, a methacholine challenge checks for airway hyperresponsiveness and can confirm cough-variant asthma if routine spirometry is normal.
These tests are simple, painless, and do not need needles or surgery.
Laboratory Examinations
When someone produces sputum (mucus from the lungs) with a chronic cough, lab staff examine a sample for white blood cells, bacteria, or eosinophils. This test can identify infections like bacterial bronchitis, pneumonia, pertussis, nonasthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis, or TB.
Sputum culture can show the exact germ causing the cough. If a person coughs up blood (hemoptysis), lab tests become especially important to rule out cancer or tuberculosis.
Tests with Special Scopes
If doctors do not find common causes, they may use scoping exams. Bronchoscopy uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera to look inside the airways and lungs.
This test can reveal blockages, tumors, aspiration, or changes linked to lung diseases and also allows tissue biopsy. Rhinoscopy lets health professionals see inside the nasal passages and upper airway, which helps find sources of postnasal drip or structural problems.
Conditions diagnosed with scope tests:
- Lung cancer
- Chronic infection
- Foreign body aspiration
- Structural airway problems
Tests Used for Children
Doctors use a different approach to find the cause of a chronic cough in children. Basic tests like a chest X-ray and spirometry are often the first step.
Chest X-rays help rule out pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, or congenital lung problems. Spirometry checks for asthma or other airway issues such as cough-variant asthma.
Physicians may order more tests if the cough continues or if findings suggest something more serious, like whooping cough, GERD, or foreign body aspiration.
Treatment
Medicines That Help Lower Coughing
Doctors use several kinds of medicine to help people who cough a lot. The choice of treatment depends on what causes the cough.
| Medicine Type | Use |
|---|---|
| Antihistamines | Helps with allergies and postnasal drip |
| Decongestants | Reduces nose stuffiness |
| Inhaled Corticosteroids | Decreases swelling in the lungs |
| Bronchodilators | Opens airways for asthma-related cough |
| Proton Pump Inhibitors | Lowers acid for acid reflux problems |
| Antibiotics | Treats coughs caused by certain infections |
| Cough Suppressants | Lowers the urge to cough |
For allergies or postnasal drip, antihistamines and decongestants can ease coughing by reducing irritation or mucus.
Asthma-related coughs respond well to inhaled corticosteroids or bronchodilators, which lower swelling inside the lungs and help air move more easily.
When an infection causes a chronic cough, doctors may prescribe antibiotics to clear it up. Acid reflux, where stomach acid comes up into the throat, can be managed with medicines called proton pump inhibitors.
These drugs lower acid in the stomach and help stop cough caused by reflux. For people who do not improve with other treatments, a doctor might offer cough suppressants such as codeine or medicines like gabapentin.
These drugs can lower how much a person coughs but should be used with care. Healthnile advises not to use over-the-counter cough medicines for children under 12 years old unless a doctor says it is safe.
These drugs are often not helpful and can cause side effects, especially in younger kids. Some people may need changes to other medicines if their cough is a side effect.
For example, doctors may switch those on angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors to a different blood pressure medicine if they develop a cough. Doctors select treatments based on the cause and review options with patients to pick the safest plan.
Day-to-Day Tips and Home Treatments
People can try several simple methods at home to help manage coughing:
Increase Fluid Intake: Drinking warm liquids like tea, broth, or juice can loosen mucus and soothe the throat.
Use Lozenges or Hard Candy: Sucking on these can ease throat irritation and calm a dry cough.
Honey: For people over one year old, a small spoonful of honey may reduce coughing.
Humid Air: Using a cool-mist humidifier or standing in a steamy bathroom adds moisture to the air and helps with breathing.
Avoid Tobacco Smoke: Staying away from cigarettes and other smoke prevents further lung irritation. Those who smoke should seek support to quit.
| Other Factors | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Environmental triggers | Reducing dust or allergens may lower cough risk. |
| Weight management | Keeping a healthy weight can help lower risk factors. |
| Heartburn control | Avoiding spicy foods can reduce heartburn and related cough |
| Speak to professionals | Speech or physical therapy may help if cough causes pain. |
Complications like headaches, muscle aches, or urine leakage can sometimes happen with long-term coughing. If home care is not enough or new symptoms appear, a healthcare provider should be consulted.
Getting Ready for Your Visit
Steps You Can Take
Being prepared helps you get the most out of your appointment.
Consider doing the following before you go:
Write down your symptoms. Include when they started and what makes them better or worse.
List your past medical problems. Mention any major illnesses or hospital stays.
Note family health issues. If your parents or siblings have had lung or breathing problems, write it down.
- Bring a list of all your medicines. Include prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicine, vitamins, and supplements.
Share your smoking history. If you smoke or used to, write how much and how long.
Prepare your questions. Jot down any questions you want to ask the healthcare professional.
| What to Bring | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| List of symptoms | Gives the doctor context |
| Family health info | Shows any risks |
| Medication details | Prevents drug interactions |
| Smoking background | Important for lung health |
| Written questions | Makes sure your concerns are addressed |
How the Healthcare Professional Will Respond
The doctor or specialist will want detailed information.
You can expect questions like:
When did your symptoms begin?
Have you had a recent cold or flu?
Do you or someone around you smoke?
Are you around dust, fumes, or chemicals at work or home?
Do you have a history of heartburn?
Are you coughing up anything, and what does it look like?
Are you taking medicine for blood pressure?
When does your cough happen, and what helps it get better?
Do you feel short of breath or start wheezing in certain situations?
Have you traveled recently?
The doctor may ask more questions based on your answers and your health history. If you come prepared with information, your visit will go more smoothly.
