Chronic Cough

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Do you frequently find yourself coughing at the worst possible moments — or even all day long?

Not only is a chronic cough often embarrassing, but it can also disrupt your life — and the lives of the people around you. It can keep you (and your loved ones) from getting a good night’s sleep. And you might ache from the constant effort. Sometimes it feels like you can’t remember when you weren’t frustrated, tired and sore — and coughing — all of the time.

If your cough lingers for more than eight weeks, it’s time to get help. Cleveland Clinic’s pulmonologists (lung specialists) are here to help you figure out why you can’t stop coughing. They’ll take time to listen to your concerns and design a personalized treatment plan help you get relief.

Why Choose Cleveland Clinic for Chronic Cough Care?

Collaborative care:

A chronic cough can start from lung problems, but not always. Our team of specialists can help you no matter the cause. They work together to get thorough answers and create the right treatment for your persistent cough.

High-volume specialty:

We have more than 170 specialists who treat coughs and lung issues for more than 200,000 patients each year. Our expertise and experience let us find the right diagnosis and treatment plan for your chronic cough. Meet our team.

National recognition:

Cleveland Clinic is a trusted healthcare leader. We're recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for our expertise and care.

Virtual visits:

We know life can be hectic. That’s why we’re making it even easier to connect with your provider through virtual visits. You can have your appointment from the comfort of home using your smartphone, tablet or computer.

Chronic Cough Diagnosis at Cleveland Clinic

At your first visit, your provider will do a physical exam, including looking at the back of your throat and inside your ears. They’ll ask you about your health history, including any tobacco use, because smoking can cause a chronic cough.

Be ready to talk about your symptoms — how often you cough and if it feels wet or dry. A wet cough makes mucus. A dry cough doesn’t. Answering these questions helps us rule out possible causes of your chronic cough.

Because many things can cause a persistent cough, your provider may order a few tests to find out what’s behind your coughing in order to best treat it. These tests can include bloodwork, chest X-rays and checking how well your lungs work with spirometry, among others.

Providers Who Treat Chronic Cough

Locations

Our healthcare providers see patients at convenient locations throughout Northeast Ohio, Florida and in London.

Chronic Cough Treatment at Cleveland Clinic

Different things can cause your chronic cough. You can have health issues like allergies or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD, or acid reflux). Or something environmental and lifestyle-related could trigger it — like smoking or medications you’re taking. In rare cases, chronic cough can be a sign of lung cancer.

Once we figure out what’s causing your cough, we’ll work with you to create a custom treatment plan that keeps you in mind.

Lifestyle changes

Sometimes you can ease a cough with lifestyle changes. Your provider may recommend you:

Stop smoking.
Avoid foods that trigger acid reflux.
Sleep with your head propped up on pillows.
Avoid allergens when possible.
Drink plenty of water.

Medication

If allergies are contributing to your constant cough, we may prescribe antihistamines, which can relieve allergy symptoms, like coughing and antacids to neutralize the stomach acid irritating your throat.

Your chronic cough could also be a side effect of drugs used to treat high blood pressure. You and your provider can talk about trying other blood pressure medications if you’re having this side effect.

Behavioral cough suppression therapy

If we aren’t able to find out why you have a chronic cough, you have what’s known as unexplained chronic cough (UCC). Often, people with UCC have an extra-sensitive cough reflex, which is easily triggered by changes in air temperature and environment.

Your provider may recommend behavioral cough suppression therapy (BCST). Our specialized therapists teach you how to control your urge to cough with behavioral techniques. Your treatment plan may combine BCST and medication to suppress your chronic cough.

Specialized therapies

Our chronic cough clinic offers the newest tests and innovative treatments if traditional therapies aren’t making your symptoms go away. We offer:

Lab tests to see if there are bacteria in your blood or phlegm.
Lung function tests, like spirometry, to check how well your lungs are working.
Imaging tests, like chest X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, ultrasound and nuclear testing to get a closer, more detailed look inside your body.

Taking the Next Step

Coughing your way through life is no way to live. It keeps you up at night and gets in the way of enjoying your days — not to mention how it can disturb those around you. You don’t have to live with it. You can get relief. Cleveland Clinic healthcare providers are here to help you find relief by building a personalized treatment plan that will silence your chronic cough. And, hopefully soon, you’ll be back to better (and quieter) days.