Chronic cough: Is it a serious ENT condition?
I have many patients who come to me with chronic cough, some of them having suffered this condition for many years! The medical definition of a chronic cough is a cough that lasts eight weeks or longer for adults. For children, any cough that lasts longer than four weeks is considered a chronic cough.
Key Takeaways
- A chronic cough is defined as one lasting eight weeks or longer in adults, and more than four weeks in children, marking the point where it's no longer a passing symptom.
- Chronic cough can affect quality of life by disrupting conversations, work and sleep.
- Chronic cough may be linked to conditions such as allergies, asthma or acid reflux.
- Hydration may help thin secretions, while excessive alcohol or caffeine may worsen dryness.
- In dry conditions, a clean humidifier may help ease throat irritation.
Chronic coughers come in many shapes and sizes; some only have a dry, chesty cough with no other symptoms, while some also present with a runny nose, sore throat, nasal drip at the back of the throat and blocked airways. Certain gastrointestinal conditions have also been linked to chronic coughs, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It is important to undergo a full ENT checkup in order to accurately determine the reason for the development of chronic cough.
For adults that suffer from a runny nose, this creates a constant stream of secretions that go down the back of the throat, causing the natural reflex of coughing to trigger. This is the body’s natural response so that the lungs and lower air passages can be cleared out for proper breathing. In actuality, it is not the best thing to do to continue to clear your throat in the case of chronic cough. Using a nasal spray or taking some decongestants can greatly help in reducing nasal backdrop and addressing the constant need of having to cough. Find out more about chronic cough here.
If you have questions or concerns about your ears, nose, and throat, you may book a consultation with Dr Dennis Chua, an ENT specialist in Singapore. He has completed his training in otorhinolaryngology locally and attained qualifications internationally.
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Chronic cough not improving? When to see an ENT specialist in Singapore
As an ENT specialist in Singapore, chronic cough is actually quite a hard condition to treat. In general, after a course of antibiotics, some patients do recover somewhat and the cough reduces in severity. However, there are many cases that continue to drag on and on, not responding to antibiotic treatment.
Some patients suffer from chronic cough due to suffering from underlying health problems which exacerbate the condition. Having allergies as well as having asthma are both reasons that a patient might suffer from a cough. We have also found evidence to link acid reflux to chronic cough patients.
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References
- Vouloumanou, E. K., Rafailidis, P. I., & Falagas, M. E. (2012). Current diagnosis and management of infectious mononucleosis. Current opinion in hematology, 19(1), 14–20. https://doi.org/10.1097/MOH.0b013e32834daa08
- Kinderknecht J. J. (2002). Infectious mononucleosis and the spleen. Current sports medicine reports, 1(2), 116–120. https://doi.org/10.1249/00149619-200204000-00009
If you have questions or concerns about your ears, nose, and throat,
you may book a consultation with Dr Dennis Chua, an ENT specialist in Singapore.
He has completed his training in otorhinolaryngology locally and attained qualifications internationally.
About Dr Dennis Chua
Dr. Dennis Chua is an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist with more than a decade of experience. He is held in high regard within the field of Otolaryngology, having published many articles in peer reviewed journals on the topic of ENT.
As an ENT Specialist in Singapore, Dr Dennis Chua is committed to providing thorough, patient-centred care for both adults and children. Whether you’re managing allergies, sinus problems, hearing issues, or throat concerns, we take time to understand your condition and guide you through your treatment options.
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