Idea Transcript
Request an Appointment
Search Mayo Clinic
MENU
Log in to Patient Account
Find a Doctor
English
Find a Job Give Now
Patient Care & Health Information
Diseases & Conditions
Request an Appointment
Chronic cough Symptoms & causes
Diagnosis & treatment
Diagnosis
Print
Advertisement
Your doctor will ask about your medical history and perform a physical exam. Your doctor may also order tests to look for the cause of your chronic cough. However, many doctors opt to start treatment for one of the common causes of chronic cough rather than ordering expensive tests. If the treatment doesn't work, however, you may undergo testing for less common causes.
Imaging tests X-rays. Although a routine chest X-ray won't reveal the most common reasons for a cough — postnasal drip, acid reflux or asthma — it may be used to check for lung cancer, pneumonia and other lung diseases. An X-ray of your sinuses may reveal evidence of a sinus infection. Computerized tomography (CT) scans. CT scans also may be used to check your lungs for conditions that may produce cough or your sinus cavities for pockets of infection.
Lung function tests These simple, noninvasive tests are used to diagnose asthma and COPD. They measure how much air your lungs can hold and how fast you can exhale. Your doctor may request an asthma challenge test, which checks how well you can breathe before and after inhaling the drug methacholine (Provocholine).
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our notfor-profit mission.
Spirometer
Lab tests
Advertising & Sponsorship Policy
If the mucus that you cough up is colored, your doctor may want to test a sample of it for bacteria.
Opportunities
Ad Choices
Mayo Clinic Marketplace Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic.
Scope tests If your doctor isn't able to find an explanation for your cough, special scope tests may be considered to look for possible causes. These tests use a thin, flexible tube equipped with a light and camera. With a bronchoscope, your doctor can look at your lungs and air passages. A biopsy can also be taken from the inside lining of your airway (mucosa) to look for abnormalities.
4 Simple Steps to a Joy-Filled Life NEW! Mayo Clinic Guide to Integrative Medicine Stop Osteoporosis in its Tracks Mayo Clinic on Healthy Aging The Mayo Clinic Diet Online
With a rhinoscope, your doctor can view your nasal passages to look for upper airway causes of cough.
Children A chest X-ray and spirometry, at a minimum, are typically ordered to find the cause of a chronic cough in a child.
Treatment Determining the cause of chronic cough is crucial to effective treatment. In many cases, more than one underlying condition may be causing your chronic cough. If you're taking an ACE inhibitor medication, your doctor may switch you to another medicine that doesn't have a cough as a side effect. Medications used to treat chronic cough may include: Antihistamines, glucocorticoids and decongestants. These drugs are standard treatment for allergies and postnasal drip. Inhaled asthma drugs. The most effective treatments for asthma-related cough are glucocorticoids and bronchodilators, which reduce inflammation and open up your airways. Antibiotics. If a bacterial infection is causing your chronic cough, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. Acid blockers. When lifestyle changes don't take care of acid reflux, you may be treated with medications that block acid production. Some people need surgery to resolve the problem. Cough suppressants. If the reason for your cough can't be determined and it's causing serious problems for you, such as keeping you from sleeping, your doctor may prescribe a cough suppressant. However, there's no evidence that over-thecounter cough medicines are effective. You should never give children under 4 years of age over-the-counter cough and cold products without checking with your child's doctor. These medicines may harm young children.
Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic
Clinical trials Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this disease.
Lifestyle and home remedies Follow the plan your doctor gives you for treating the cause of your cough. In the meantime, you can also try these tips to ease your cough: Drink fluids. Liquid helps thin the mucus in your throat. Warm liquids, such as broth, tea or juice, can soothe your throat. Suck on cough drops or hard candies. They may ease a dry cough and soothe an irritated throat. Moisturize the air. Use a humidifier or take a steamy shower. Avoid tobacco smoke. Smoking or breathing second-hand smoke irritates your lungs and can worsen coughs caused by other factors. If you smoke, talk with your doctor about programs and products that can help you quit.
Preparing for your appointment While you may initially see your family doctor, he or she may refer you to a doctor who specializes in lung disorders (pulmonologist).
What you can do It's a good idea to write a list that includes: Detailed descriptions of your symptoms Information about medical problems you've had Information about the medical problems of your parents or siblings All the medications, including over-the-counter drugs, and dietary supplements you take Questions you want to ask the doctor
What to expect from your doctor A thorough medical history and physical exam can provide important clues about a chronic cough. Your doctor may ask some of the following questions: What are your symptoms and when did they begin? Did you recently have the flu or a cold? Do you now or have you ever smoked tobacco? Does anyone in your family or workplace smoke? Are you exposed to dust or chemicals at home or at work? Do you have heartburn? Do you cough up anything? If so, what does it look like? Do you take blood pressure medicine? If so, what type do you take? When does your cough occur? Does anything relieve your cough? What treatments have you tried? Do you get more short of breath with exertion? Or on exposure to cold air? What is your travel history? By Mayo Clinic Staff
Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic
Symptoms & causes
References
Share on:
Facebook
Twitter
Print
Aug. 22, 2017
Related CT scan X-ray Chest X-rays Runny nose Wheezing Shortness of breath Nasal congestion Coughing up blood
Chronic cough Symptoms & causes Diagnosis & treatment
Patient Care & Health Information
Diseases & Conditions
Request Appointment Employees
PATIENT CARE & HEALTH INFO
DEPARTMENTS & CENTERS
Healthy Lifestyle
Doctors & Medical Staff
Symptoms A-Z
Medical Departments & Centers
Diseases & Conditions A-Z Tests & Procedures AZ Drugs & Supplements A-Z
Contact Us
Find a Job
Research Centers & Programs About Mayo Clinic Contact Us
Appointments Patient & Visitor Guide Billing & Insurance Patient Online Services
CON-20163700
Chronic cough
About Mayo Clinic
Site Map
RESEARCH
EDUCATION
Explore Research Labs
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
Find Clinical Trials Research Faculty Postdoctoral Fellowships Discovery's Edge Magazine Search Publications Training Grant Positions
Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit organization. Make a donation.
About This Site
Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Mayo Clinic School of Medicine Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education
FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS
PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Provider Relations
Healthy Living Program
Online Services for Referring Physicians
Sports Medicine
Video Center Publications Continuing Medical Education Mayo Medical Laboratories
Books and more ... Mayo Clinic Health Letter Medical Products Population Health and Wellness Programs Medical Laboratory Services Mayo Clinic Voice Apps
Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences Alumni Center
Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy
A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
Notice of Privacy Practices Reprint Permissions
© 1998-2017 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved.
This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.