The Medicine Cabinet: A Lingering Cough Should Be Checked by Doctor
Q: I have been coughing for almost six weeks for no obvious reason. I have never smoked and haven’t been sick with a cold or the flu. What makes you cough and why would it linger? A: The cough is a vital player in the body’s defense against disease. Coughing expels mucus, microbes and foreign […]
When a cough just won’t go away
Harvard Health Blog Who has never had a cough? I bet no one can raise their hand. We see this in clinic all the time. But chronic cough — one that lasts at least eight weeks — can be hard for patients to deal with and difficult for doctors to figure out. In the October […]
Novel treatments for unexplained persistent coughing
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts Q: I cannot get rid of this cough. I don’t smoke. My lung tests and chest X-ray are normal. I tried inhalers, acid blockers and nasal decongestants without any improvement. What else can I do? A: Based on your question, your doctor has considered the most common causes […]