Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Chronic cough can also occur with fungal infections of the lung, tuberculosis (TB) infection or lung infection with nontuberculous mycobacterial organisms. A common but under-recognized cause of a chronic cough in adults is pertussis, also known as whooping cough. A cough can linger long after other symptoms of pneumonia, flu, a cold or other infection of the upper respiratory tract have gone away. The coughing, in turn, worsens GERD - a vicious cycle. The constant irritation can lead to chronic coughing. In this common condition, stomach acid flows back into the tube that connects your stomach and throat (esophagus). Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).In one type of asthma (cough-variant asthma), a cough is the main symptom. An asthma-related cough may come and go with the seasons, appear after an upper respiratory tract infection, or become worse when you're exposed to cold air or certain chemicals or fragrances.
This condition is also called upper airway cough syndrome (UACS). When your nose or sinuses produce extra mucus, it can drip down the back of your throat and trigger your cough reflex. The following causes, alone or in combination, are responsible for the majority of cases of chronic cough: In many cases, more than one cause is involved. However, a cough that persists for weeks is usually the result of a medical problem. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic CausesĪn occasional cough is normal - it helps clear irritants and secretions from your lungs and prevents infection.