About Allergies: What To Do About a Cough That Won't Go Away

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Allergies Allergies Symptoms / Diagnosis Treatment Coping From Daniel More, MD, your Guide to Allergies   Coughing is an extremely common reason why people go see their doctor. Some people seek help when they've been coughing for days, while other may wait years before going to the doctor. While the reason for a cough can usually be identified, and the cause treated, people with a chronic cough can be some of the most difficult cases to treat. The most common reason for a chronic cough is due to post nasal drip (frequent throat clearing). This may be caused by allergic rhinitis, non-allergic rhinitis, or even a sinus infection. The next most common cause is asthma, even if other symptoms such as wheezing are absent. Lastly, gastroesophageal reflux disease, even if classic heartburn symptoms are absent, is the third most common cause of a chronic cough. All About Coughing Cough is the most common reason why people go to their primary doctor. In some cases, the cough has lasted less than 3 weeks, and is termed an “acute cough”. A cough that has lasted for between 3 and 8 weeks is termed a “sub-acute cough”. And coughing that has been going on for more than 8 weeks is termed a “chronic cough”. Search Related Topics:  asthma  sinus infections  allergist Asthma as a Cause of Coughing Asthma is a chronic lung disease, which cannot be cured, yet can be well-controlled with close follow-up with a physician and appropriate medical therapies. In people with asthma, lung airways become inflamed, leading to narrowing of the airways. The muscles around the airways become more sensitive, and can react to allergens and irritants. Asthma can be a life-threatening disease, and there are typically a few thousand deaths in the United States every year as a result of this disease. Search Related Topics:  allergist  skin testing  allergy shots What Causes a Chronic Cough? A cough lasting for more than 8 weeks is termed a chronic cough. Some people can experience a chronic cough for years, and treatment may not be successful. For these people, a referral to anallergist or pulmonologist (a physician who specializes in the lungs) should be made, as expert medical care may be needed. The most common causes of a chronic cough include.. Search Related Topics:  asthma  sinus infections  allergist Related Searches Asthma and Allergies Dry Cough at Night Allergy or Allergies Cough Treatment Allergies Symptoms Featured Articles Insect Allergies Anaphylaxis Allergy Shots and Drops (Immunotherapy) Alternative Therapies in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Allergies Glossary of Terms Information on the Most Common Allergy Medications   More from About.com Run Your First 5K Even couch potatoes can be ready for a 5K with just a couple months of training. Read more...> Help! I'm Too Busy Time and stress management tips to help you feel as though you have more time. Read more...> This newsletter is written by: Daniel More, MD Allergies Guide Email Me | My Blog | My Forum   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Allergies newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2013 About.com   Must Reads What are Allergies? Symptoms of Allergies Diagnosis of Allergies Treatment of Allergies Preventing Allergies   Follow me on: Advertisement