Chronic cough and Symptoms

Chronic cough — one lasting eight weeks or longer — is more than just an annoyance. A chronic cough can ruin your sleep and leave you feeling exhausted. Severe cases of chronic cough can result in vomiting, rib fractures and lightheadedness.

While it can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint the problem that’s triggering your chronic cough, the most common causes are tobacco use, postnasal drip, asthma and acid reflux — the backflow of stomach acid, which can irritate your throat. Chronic cough typically disappears once the underlying problem is treated.

Symptoms

A chronic cough can occur with other signs and symptoms, which may include:

• A runny or stuffy nose


• A sensation of liquid running down the back of your throat


• Wheezing and shortness of breath


• Heartburn or a sour taste in your mouth


• In rare cases, coughing up blood