What causes chronic cough?

A cough may persist when the throat or airways remain irritated after an infection, when mucus drains from the nose into the throat, or when the airways narrow as in asthma. Acid reflux can irritate the throat and trigger cough, sometimes without obvious heartburn. Tobacco smoke, vaping aerosols, dust, fragrance, and workplace exposures may keep the cough going. Some blood-pressure medicines can cause a dry cough. The sound of a cough alone cannot identify its cause, so the timing, triggers, phlegm, breathing symptoms, and medicines matter.

Arrange a primary-care review if a cough is persistent, keeps returning, or interferes with sleep or activity. Bring a list of medicines and note whether it is worse after meals, when lying down, around pets, outdoors, or at work. Avoid smoke and vaping, ventilate dusty spaces, and drink fluids. Do not stop a prescribed medicine without discussing it with the prescriber. A clinician may listen to your chest, review nasal and reflux symptoms, and decide whether breathing tests or imaging are appropriate.

Seek urgent care for coughing blood, severe breathlessness, chest pain, blue lips, fainting, new confusion, or a rapidly worsening cough. Prompt review is warranted with unexplained weight loss, persistent fever, night sweats, or repeated chest infections. Children, older adults, pregnant people, and anyone with significant lung or heart disease may need earlier advice. Emergency help is needed if breathing becomes difficult or you cannot speak comfortably in full sentences.

Ask which causes fit your pattern, whether reflux or nasal inflammation could be involved, and whether an asthma assessment is needed. Ask how to manage triggers, which medicines are safe for you, and what change in symptoms should prompt urgent review.