Chronic cough

Question 1

Definition

Answer 1

A cough typically lasting over 8 weeks

Question 2

Aetiology/ causes

Answer 2

Possible causes include postnasal drip, asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease, post-infectious cough, and COPD

Question 3

Risk factors

Answer 3

Smoking

Question 4

Epidemiology

Answer 4

Highly dependent on underlying cause

Question 5

Clinical presentation

Answer 5

A stuffy or runny nose.

Postnasal drip (tickle in the back of your throat).
Heartburn.

Sore throat or frequent throat clearing.

Fever (a temperature higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit or 38.3 degrees Celsius).

More serious S&S could include weight loss without effort, coughing up blood or phlegm, wheezing or shortness of breath, hoarseness that doesn’t go away, and a drenching overnight sweat.

Question 5

Clinical presentation

Answer 5

A stuffy or runny nose.

Postnasal drip (tickle in the back of your throat).
Heartburn.

Sore throat or frequent throat clearing.

Fever (a temperature higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit or 38.3 degrees Celsius).

More serious S&S could include weight loss without effort, coughing up blood or phlegm, wheezing or shortness of breath, hoarseness that doesn’t go away, and a drenching overnight sweat.

Question 6

Prognosis

Answer 6

Coughing in itself is relatively benign. However, the precise prognosis a patient faces is heavily reliant on the underlying aetiology.

Question 7

DDX

Answer 7

Chronic bronchitis
Chronic sinusitis
Gastroesophageal reflux disease
Interstitial lung diseases
Intolerance to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor medication
Malignancy
Non-asthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis
Obstructive sleep apnea
A post-infectious cough
A psychosomatic cough
Upper airway cough syndrome