More research is needed to understand this relationship.įor some people, a cough from acid reflux will be accompanied by the typical symptoms of heartburn or a sour taste in the mouth. Coughing may be a reflex to help prevent the food and acid from entering your lungs. This is when food or acid from the stomach comes up to the throat and enters the airways.

It’s still unclear why GERD might make you cough, but experts think it’s related to aspiration. Acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux diseaseĪcid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are other potential causes of persistent dry cough. If you have a cough with no other symptoms, you may want to visit a healthcare provider and get checked for asthma. In cases in which this type of asthma goes untreated, up to 40% of adults go on to develop further symptoms of asthma. It’s usually treated with prescription inhalers, which help control the cough. It can also be triggered by laughing or exercise.Īn asthma cough won’t get better with OTC medication. In this case, the cough is typically worse at night.Īsthma-related coughing may follow an upper respiratory infection and worsen if you’re exposed to cold temperatures or certain allergens, like dust or fumes. But sometimes the only symptom is coughing. Asthma with coughĪsthma normally includes symptoms, such as wheezing, difficulty breathing, and chest pain. In some cases, prescription medication may be useful. Or your healthcare provider may recommend treatments like antihistamines, steroid nasal sprays, or other over-the-counter (OTC) nasal sprays. The sensation of liquid dripping down the back of your throat Signs that postnasal drip may be the cause of your persistent cough include: The result may be a dry cough or it may be associated with some mucus. There are many causes of postnasal drip, including colds, sinus infections, and allergies, like hay fever.

This leads to mucus draining down the throat and triggering a cough. Postnasal drip, or upper airway cough syndrome, can occur anytime the nose or sinuses become irritated or inflamed.

But taking medication to reduce cough, inflammation, and mucus may be helpful for relieving symptoms. This type of persistent cough will usually resolve on its own. In most cases in which reactive airways are the cause, all X-rays and tests will be normal. Or it may be caused by the body’s increased mucus production. It may be due to the nerves in your airways, or the airways themselves becoming more sensitive. This can make your airways sensitive and hyperreactive, making you cough. Sometimes your airways can become inflamed after an upper respiratory infection. Reactive airways after an upper respiratory infection Here are the eight most common reasons you might have a persistent cough. The good news is, with proper evaluation of your cough, your healthcare provider can usually treat it. There are many reasons for a lingering cough, most of which aren’t too serious. What are the most common causes of a persistent cough? This can sometimes be a sign of an infection (like pneumonia) that requires treatment. If you have had an upper respiratory infection and now have a persistent productive cough - meaning you’re coughing up mucus - you need to notify your healthcare provider. It’s common to have a persistent cough that lasts up to 3 weeks after an upper respiratory infection has resolved.Ī persistent dry cough - meaning you aren’t coughing up much mucus - will sometimes go away on its own. View more medications What is a persistent cough?Ī persistent cough is one that has been around for more than 3 weeks.

Nocturnal cough definition