Cough

A cough can have many different causes, from something simply getting caught in the throat to a symptom of a cold and all the way to more persistent, chronic coughs.

Chronic coughs may be signs of other, more serious conditions and should be treated by a specialist such as Kevin Farnam, M.D.

Cough

A cough can have many different causes, from something simply getting caught in the throat to a symptom of a cold and all the way to more persistent, chronic coughs.

Chronic coughs may be signs of other, more serious conditions and should be treated by a specialist such as Kevin Farnam, M.D.

Patient being treated for cough by Dr. Farnam at Adult and Children Allergy and Asthma Center in Pasadena, CA.

What Makes a Cough a Chronic Cough?

A chronic cough is a cough that continuously occurs for more than eight weeks in adults and four or more weeks in children. Most coughs last for much less time and go away on their own or can be treated with over-the-counter medications. Chronic coughs require specialized treatment from a qualified physician.

What Causes a Chronic Cough?

There are many reasons a cough might develop into a chronic condition, but the most common are asthma, COPD, postnasal drip, or GERD. There might also be more serious conditions which keep a cough from clearing up, though, such as an infection such as pertussis, bronchiectasis, bronchiolitis, cystic fibrosis, or even lung cancer. Regardless of the cause, any chronic cough is serious and should be treated by a physician.

Woman being treated for a cough by Dr. Farnam at Adult and Children Allergy and Asthma Center in Pasadena, CA.

“Dr. Farnam was absolutely spectacular. I truly felt heard and his diagnosis was the first that made sense in months. I feel so lucky to have been referred to him and couldn’t recommend him more.”

Man being treated for a cough by Dr. Farnam at Adult and Children Allergy and Asthma Center in Pasadena, CA.

How is a Chronic Cough Treated?

Treatment options include lifestyle changes and/or medications such as antihistamines, corticosteroids and decongestants. Of course, the cause of the cough dictates the course of treatment. If the chronic cough is a symptom of a larger condition, like asthma, than the treatment of that condition will clear up the cough.

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