Chest tightness and dry cough: what to know

A dry cough produces little or no mucus. Tightness and cough can occur when the airways narrow or become sensitive, including with Asthma or COPD. Acid Reflux can irritate the throat and trigger cough, sometimes without obvious burning. Dust, smoke, fragrances, cold air and recent illness may also aggravate the airways. Angina can cause chest discomfort, but a cough is not enough to identify its cause.

Note whether symptoms are worse at night, after meals, outdoors, during exercise or around a particular exposure. Wheeze, hoarseness, fever, sore throat, breathlessness and reduced exercise tolerance are useful details.

Move away from smoke, vapour, dust or strong scents, sip fluids and rest your voice. Sit upright if coughing worsens when lying down. Use prescribed respiratory medicine only as directed; a clinician can decide whether Inhaler Therapy is suitable. Arrange review when the cough persists, repeatedly returns, disturbs sleep or comes with chest tightness.

Seek emergency help for severe or rapidly worsening breathlessness, inability to speak comfortably, blue or grey lips, fainting, confusion, severe chest pressure, or coughing blood. Get same-day medical advice for chest tightness with high fever, worsening wheeze, marked weakness or a new symptom after a significant exposure.

Could this be airway narrowing, reflux or irritation from an exposure? Should I keep a symptom and trigger diary? What should I do if an inhaler is prescribed but the tightness continues?