Why Your Cough Won’t Go Away (and What You Can Do About It): Understanding and Treating Persistent Coughs

There’s nothing more frustrating than getting over a cold or virus, only to have a nagging cough linger for weeks or even months afterward. You feel fine otherwise, but the cough just won’t quit. Maybe it’s dry and hacking, maybe it’s worse at night, or maybe it’s starting to interfere with your sleep, work, and peace of mind.

You’re not alone. Persistent coughs are one of the most common reasons patients seek help from a pulmonologist. In this blog, we’ll walk you through some of the most common causes of a lingering cough, when to be concerned, and how the specialists at Lyracore Pulmonary Health can help get you answers and relief.

Lyracore specializes in diagnosing and treating complex respiratory issues with precision, compassion, and a patient-first approach. If your cough won’t go away, we’re here to help you get to the root cause of your cough and create a treatment plan to help you find lasting relief.

What Is a Chronic Cough?

A cough is considered “chronic” if it lasts longer than eight weeks in adults or four weeks in children. Chronic coughs can be dry (non-productive) or wet (producing mucus). While some chronic coughs are harmless and fade on their own, others are a sign of an underlying condition that needs treatment.

Chronic cough is not a diagnosis; it’s a symptom. At Lyracore, our goal is to identify the underlying cause of your cough, allowing us to prescribe the most effective treatment.

The Most Common Causes of Post-Viral and Chronic Cough

Post-Viral Cough

After a viral respiratory infection like a cold, flu, or COVID-19, many people experience inflammation in the airways that can linger long after the infection is gone. This can trigger a hypersensitive cough reflex, where your body keeps coughing even though the virus is no longer present. Post-viral coughs can last for weeks and are often dry and tickly.

Postnasal Drip / Upper Airway Cough Syndrome (UACS)

One of the most overlooked causes of chronic cough is postnasal drip. This happens when mucus from the nose and sinuses drips down the back of the throat, irritating the airway and triggering a cough reflex. It’s often worse when lying down and may come with a sensation of throat clearing or a lump in the throat. Common culprits include allergies, sinus infections, and changes in weather.

Asthma and Cough-Variant Asthma

Asthma doesn’t always present with wheezing. In some cases, especially in adults, cough may be the only symptom. This is called cough-variant asthma. If your cough gets worse at night, with exercise, or in cold air, asthma may be the cause. Fortunately, asthma-related coughs respond well to inhaled medications that reduce airway inflammation.

GERD (Acid Reflux)

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is a sneaky cause of chronic cough. Stomach acid that flows back up into the esophagus can irritate the throat and airway, leading to coughing, especially after meals or when lying down. Many people with reflux-related cough don’t even experience heartburn, making it easy to miss without proper evaluation.

Medication-Related Cough

Certain medications, particularly a class of drugs called ACE inhibitors (commonly prescribed for high blood pressure), are known to cause persistent dry coughs. If you’ve recently started a new medication and developed a cough, it’s worth discussing with your doctor.

Other Serious Causes

While many chronic coughs are benign, it’s important not to ignore warning signs. Chronic bronchitis, COPD, interstitial lung disease, and even lung cancer can present with prolonged coughing. This is why a thorough evaluation, including imaging or pulmonary testing when appropriate, is essential to rule out more serious conditions.

The Lyracore Difference: Our Diagnostic Tools and Approach

At Lyracore, we understand how frustrating it can be to chase down the source of your pulmonary symptoms. Our team uses a comprehensive set of diagnostic tools to understand the root cause of your cough:

• Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT): Measures lung function and can identify patterns consistent with asthma, COPD, or restrictive lung disease.
• Allergy Testing: Identifies environmental or seasonal allergens that may be contributing to postnasal drip or airway inflammation.
• Imaging (Chest X-rays or CT scans): Helps rule out structural abnormalities, infections, or masses in the lungs.
• Specialized Cough Assessments: These may include evaluating your response to bronchodilators, assessing reflux symptoms, or monitoring cough frequency.

Every patient at Lyracore receives a personalized evaluation and care plan unique to their case and medical history.

Customized Treatment Approaches Based on Cause

Once we determine the cause of your cough, we tailor treatment accordingly:

• Post-viral cough: May resolve on its own, but inhalers or cough suppressants can offer relief.
• Postnasal drip: Treated with nasal sprays, antihistamines, decongestants, or allergy management.
• Asthma or cough-variant asthma: Managed with inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators.
• GERD-related cough: Managed with dietary changes, lifestyle adjustments, and acid-blocking medications.
• Medication-related cough: May resolve by switching to an alternative medication.
• Serious conditions: Referred for further treatment, including pulmonology, oncology, or rheumatology care as needed.

When to See a Specialist

If your cough lasts more than eight weeks, is worsening, or is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, it’s time to see a specialist:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Fever or night sweats
• Blood in sputum
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain

Early diagnosis is key to managing chronic coughs effectively and ruling out serious conditions.

How Lyracore Can Help

Lyracore Pulmonary Health is led by Dr Alexandre Furman and his team of experienced, board-certified pulmonologists, including Dr. Fabiano Lima Das Gracas and Dr. Ryan Floyd. Our clinic offers:

• Fast new patient appointments, often within two to three weeks
• Expanded hours and two convenient locations: South Tampa & Sun City
• Advanced diagnostics and customized treatment plans
• A compassionate, patient-first approach to care

Whether your cough is the tail-end of a virus or something more complex, we’re here to listen, investigate, and treat.

It’s Time to Feel Better.

A persistent cough can feel like a mystery, but with the right team and the right testing, it doesn’t have to stay one. At Lyracore, we’re committed to helping you understand your symptoms, get clear answers, and feel better faster. Call us at (813) 853-0500 or request a consultation online.