How Can Chronic Cough Be Treated?

Coughing is a natural reaction of the body to clear the airways of dust, secretions or foreign substances. But when it lasts more than eight weeks, without calming down despite medication, we can talk about chronic cough – a symptom that often requires specialized care and personalized treatment.

IN Family Hospital, our team of doctors specializing in pulmonology, allergology and otorhinolaryngology (ENT) provides complete access to identify the exact cause of cough and to offer modern, safe and effective treatments. This article explains everything you need to know about chronic cough – from warning signs, to diagnosis and the latest treatment options.

What is chronic cough?

Chronic cough is defined as cough lasting more than 8 weeks in adults and more than 4 weeks in children. In many cases, it is not a separate disease, but a sign of another medical condition, such as respiratory problems, allergies, acid reflux or recurrent infections.

Chronic cough can be:

• Dry (no secretions) – often associated with allergies, asthma, or gastroesophageal reflux.
• With secretions (productive) – usually indicates an inflammation or infection in the lower respiratory tract.

Symptoms that accompany chronic cough

In addition to persistent coughing, patients may experience:

• Chest pain or throat irritation
• Scratchy or burning sensation in the throat
• Difficulty breathing
• Wheezing while breathing
• Excessive or yellow/green discharge
• Feeling tired and having restless sleep at night

If these symptoms persist for more than a few weeks it is important to consult a specialist doctor to determine the underlying cause.

The most common causes of chronic cough

1. Bronchial asthma

One of the most common causes, especially in people with a history of allergies. Coughing from asthma often occurs at night or after physical activity and may be accompanied by wheezing.

2. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

The backflow of stomach acids into the esophagus irritates the throat and causes a dry cough, which often worsens after eating or at night.

3. Chronic Rhinitis and Sinusitis

Secretions that flow from the nose into the throat (post-nasal drip) irritate the mucous membranes and cause a persistent cough, often invisible during the day but stronger at night.

4. Tobacco

Chronic smokers are among the most affected. Smoke irritates the airways and causes chronic bronchitis, which manifests itself with a deep cough and abundant secretions.

5. Recurrent infections

After a cold or flu, a cough can persist for weeks due to residual inflammation in the airways.

6. Medications

Some medications, especially those against blood pressure (ACE inhibitors), can cause a dry cough as a side effect.

7. Lung diseases

Chronic cough can be a symptom of chronic bronchopneumonia, bronchiectasis, pulmonary fibrosis or in rare cases, lung tumors. For this reason, Detailed medical evaluation is essential.

How is chronic cough diagnosed at Family Hospital?

IN Family Hospital, diagnosing chronic cough begins with a complete medical history assessment and one detailed physical examination by specialist doctors.

1. Laboratory analysis

• Blood test to evaluate for infections or allergies
• Liver and kidney function tests in case of long-term medication use

2. X-ray or CT of the lungs

This helps to see if there are any inflammation, structural damage or suspicious masses in the lungs.

3. Spirometry (breathing test)

It measures breathing power and capacity to diagnose asthma or obstructive lung diseases.

4. Allergy tests

Performed to identify whether the cough is related to allergic reactions to dust, pollen, mold or other substances.

5. Gastroscopy

If gastroesophageal reflux is suspected, a gastroscopy is performed to examine the condition of the esophagus and stomach.

6. Multidisciplinary consultation

At Family Hospital, collaboration between pulmonologist, allergist and ENT ensures that no possible cause should remain undiscovered.

How is chronic cough treated?

Treatment depends on root cause that causes cough. Doctors Family Hospital follow a personalized approach for each patient, combining drug treatment, lifestyle changes and, if necessary, advanced medical therapies.

1. Treatment of asthma and allergies

In the case of asthma, the following are used:

• Bronchodilators (inhalers) to open the airways
• Inhaled corticosteroids to reduce inflammation
• Allergy immunotherapy in cases of high sensitivity to known allergens

IN Family Hospital, patients are treated with personalized protocols that help in long-term control of symptoms without serious side effects.

2. Treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

If reflux is the cause, the following are recommended:

• Light and divided nutrition into small meals
• Avoiding spicy foods, caffeine, and alcohol
• Antacid medications OR acid inhibitors to reduce gastric secretions
• Elevating your head while sleeping to reduce acid reflux

In more severe cases, the doctor may suggest additional examinations or endoscopic treatment.

3. Treatment of rhinitis and sinusitis

Includes:

• Cortisone nasal spray to reduce inflammation
• Nasal irrigation with saline solution for clearing secretions
• Antibiotics if there is a bacterial infection
• Allergy treatment for women and men who have seasonal allergies

IN Family Hospital, are also carried out sinus lavages and minimally invasive treatments for cleaning the nasal passages when medications are not enough.

4. Quitting smoking

This is the most important measure for patients with chronic cough from bronchitis or lung irritation. Family Hospital doctors offer smoking cessation assistance programs, which include:

• Psychological consultation
• Pharmacological support
• Periodic monitoring of pulmonary function

After quitting smoking, most patients experience significant improvement in breathing and reduction in cough.

5. Treatment of chronic infections

In the case of recurrent bacterial or viral infections, the doctor may prescribe:

• Specific antibiotics based on laboratory results
• Mucolytics for thinning secretions
• Inhalations with saline solution for clearing the respiratory tract

At Family Hospital they are also used nebulization therapy and respiratory physiotherapy, which help patients clear their lungs faster and breathe freely.

6. Lifestyle changes

In addition to medication, doctors recommend:

• Warm drinks (chamomile tea, honey with lemon) to soothe the throat
• Regular ventilation of the room and avoidance of dust
• Use of air purifiers at home
• Avoiding strong odors, perfumes, and industrial pollution

A healthy and balanced lifestyle It helps strengthen the immune system and reduces the risk of symptoms returning.

When to seek medical help

You should go to the hospital or consult a doctor immediately if:

• Cough is accompanied by difficulty breathing or wheezing
• there are blood in secretions
• you high temperature that doesn't fall
• Cough lasts more than 8 weeks without a clear reason
• you chest pain or unexplained weight loss

IN Family Hospital, our team takes care of accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment, with the intention of eliminating the cause, not just the symptom.

cONcluSiON

Chronic cough can be bothersome and significantly affect quality of life, but with accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment, it can be controlled and cured.
IN Family Hospital, we treat each patient with special care, finding the underlying cause of the cough and offering long-term solutions with modern technology and medical expertise.

Don't ignore a cough that doesn't go away on its own. Book a consultation at Family Hospital and breathe freely again — under the care of professionals who care for your health with dedication and trust.