Which specialist treats chronic cough?

A persistent cough can arise from asthma, allergic rhinitis, acid reflux, nicotine dependence, infection, medication effects, or another lung problem. The cough itself does not identify its cause. A GP will ask about timing, triggers, phlegm, smoking or vaping, breathing symptoms, reflux, allergies, and medicines.

Assessment may include listening to the chest, a chest X-ray, or spirometry to measure airflow. A respiratory physician may review unexplained symptoms, abnormal results, recurrent flare-ups, or suspected lung disease.

Book a GP consultation and keep a short record of when you cough, what triggers it, and whether it is worse at night, after meals, or around dust. Bring a list of medicines and mention smoking or vaping. Do not stop prescribed medicines without advice.

Your clinician may treat an identified cause and arrange testing such as spirometry or a chest X-ray. Referral is guided by the pattern of symptoms and examination rather than by cough duration alone.

Arrange medical review for a cough that persists, disrupts sleep, or comes with wheezing or breathlessness. Seek urgent care for severe breathing difficulty, blue lips, coughing up blood, chest pain, fainting, or sudden deterioration.

Ask which causes fit your symptoms, whether spirometry or a chest X-ray is appropriate, what treatment to try first, and when a respiratory referral would be useful.