Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCommon CausesUncommon CausesTreatmentsWhen to WorryDiagnosis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Common Causes
Uncommon Causes
Treatments
When to Worry
Diagnosis
There are many possible reasons why you can’t stop coughing. The most common include a viral infection, allergies, asthma, chronic bronchitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Treatment with certain medications such as ACE inhibitors can also contribute to achronic cough.
A chronic cough (also called nagging or nonstop cough) is one that lasts for eight weeks or longer.Most chronic coughs aren’t serious and will resolve over time. In the meantime, you can treat a chronic cough with over-the-counter remedies likecough dropsand cough suppressants or home remedies like steam and honey.
This article describes some of the common and uncommon causes of a nonstop cough. It also explains how a chronic cough is diagnosed and treated and when you should see a healthcare provider.
Verywell / JR Bee
Common Causes of Chronic Cough
Causes of a chronic cough can range from those that are a nuisance to those that are potentially life-threatening. Even so, the greater likelihood is that the cause is not serious or, at the very least, manageable with proper treatment.
Common CausesAllergiesAsthmaBronchitisChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)EmphysemaGastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD)Hiatal herniaLung infectionsMedicationsPneumoniaPostnasal dripWhooping coughLess Common CausesCongestive heart failureCollapsed lungFungal infectionsLung cancerPulmonary edemaTuberculosis
Common CausesAllergiesAsthmaBronchitisChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)EmphysemaGastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD)Hiatal herniaLung infectionsMedicationsPneumoniaPostnasal dripWhooping cough
Allergies
Asthma
Bronchitis
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Emphysema
Gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD)
Hiatal hernia
Lung infections
Medications
Pneumonia
Postnasal drip
Whooping cough
Less Common CausesCongestive heart failureCollapsed lungFungal infectionsLung cancerPulmonary edemaTuberculosis
Congestive heart failure
Collapsed lung
Fungal infections
Lung cancer
Pulmonary edema
Tuberculosis
Respiratory Infections
One of the most common causes of uncontrollable coughing is an infection with a virus or bacteria. Less common causes include fungi and parasites.
Examples include:
Seasonal allergies, includingallergic rhinitis(hay fever), can cause a chronic cough. Environmental allergies tomold exposure, dust mites, and cat dander can also cause chronic coughing.
Asthma is a chronic condition that causes the airways to swell. Asthma can make it difficult to breathe, which can trigger coughing.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Bronchiectasis
This is a condition that occurs when the airways become damaged and widened. Causes ofbronchiectasisinclude prior childhood infection,immune deficiency, and conditions likecystic fibrosisorconnective tissue diseases.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Acid reflux, whether occasional or chronic, can cause coughing due to the backflow of stomach acid through the esophageal sphincter. This is the valve through which food passes from theesophagus(feeding tube) into the stomach.
Hiatal Hernia
Hiatal hernia is when part of the stomach protrudes into the chest through the sheet of muscle called thediaphragm.Hiatal herniacan disrupt the normal position of the esophageal sphincter, allowing acid to backflow into the esophagus.
Medication
Medications calledACE inhibitorsused to treat high blood pressure and heart failure can cause chronic coughing both during the day and at night.
ACE inhibitors associated with chronic coughs include
Common Causes of a Persistent Cough
Uncommon Causes of a Chronic Cough
Less common causes of a constant cough include:
Nonstop Cough Relief
The underlying cause of a nonstopcoughmust be diagnosed before it can be successfully treated and cured. However, there are also things you can do to relieve the symptoms of a cough temporarily.
Here are some home remedies, over-the-counter medications, and prescription medications that can soothe or cure a cough.
Home Remedies
If you have a nagging cough, you may be able to get relief at home with simple remedies. Some of the things that might help include:
Over-the-Counter Cough Medications
For mild coughs, you can try over-the-counter medications. Examples include:
Note that cough and cold medications aren’t recommended for children under the age of 4.
Prescription Cough Medications
Your healthcare provider may decide you need prescription medication to help control your cough or the underlying condition that is causing it. Some of these medications include:
Nonstop Cough Relief for Children
The Federal Drug Administration does not recommend over-the-counter cough medicines for children under the age of 2. This is because there is a much higher risk of serious, potentially life-threatening side effects in very young children.
If in doubt, check the manufacturer’s label. Kids' cough medicine labels often say that the products shouldn’t be given to children under age 4. Children should never take a cough medicine meant for adults, since it can overdose a child.
Home remedies can help ease your child’s cough. Some of these include:
You should not give honey to a child under the age of 1 year. This is because of the risk of botulism, a dangerous bacterial infection.
Can’t Stop Coughing? When to Worry
Most causes of acough resolvewith treatment and time, but see a healthcare provider if you are still coughing after eight weeks and you’re also experiencing symptoms such as:
If you experience these symptoms, get emergency medical attention:
How Are Coughs Diagnosed?
When you see your healthcare provider, the first thing they will do is review your symptoms and medical history and perform a physical exam. This may include listening tolung soundswith astethoscope.
Types of CoughThe features of a cough can differ based on the underlying cause and may be described in different ways.When you have a wet (productive) cough, you bring up phlegm when you cough. Your cough may be described as rattling or congested.When you have a dry (unproductive) cough, you do not cough up phlegm. Instead, your cough may be hoarse, hacking, or barking.A cough may have other descriptive features such as painful, wheezy, orparoxysmal(occurring in fits or attacks).
Types of Cough
The features of a cough can differ based on the underlying cause and may be described in different ways.When you have a wet (productive) cough, you bring up phlegm when you cough. Your cough may be described as rattling or congested.When you have a dry (unproductive) cough, you do not cough up phlegm. Instead, your cough may be hoarse, hacking, or barking.A cough may have other descriptive features such as painful, wheezy, orparoxysmal(occurring in fits or attacks).
The features of a cough can differ based on the underlying cause and may be described in different ways.
When you have a wet (productive) cough, you bring up phlegm when you cough. Your cough may be described as rattling or congested.
When you have a dry (unproductive) cough, you do not cough up phlegm. Instead, your cough may be hoarse, hacking, or barking.
A cough may have other descriptive features such as painful, wheezy, orparoxysmal(occurring in fits or attacks).
Accompanying symptoms may include fatigue, shortness of breath (dyspnea), heartburn, nausea, fever, and nasal congestion. These and other features can give your health provider a clue as to the cause and nature of your cough.
Based on the findings, the healthcare provider may order the following tests and procedures:
16 Home Remedies for a Dry Cough
Summary
A chronic cough is one that persists or recurs for more than eight weeks. There are many possible causes including infections, allergies, asthma, COPD, GERD, and even certain medications. Less common causes includetuberculosisand cancer.
The diagnosis of chronic cough may involve a physical exam, blood tests, chest X-rays, nasal swabs, or direct imaging procedures like bronchoscopy or laryngoscopy.
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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