Chronic Cough

What Is a Chronic Cough?

A chronic cough is more than just a lingering tickle in the throat. It’s often a symptom of conditions that affect the lungs, airways, sinuses, stomach, or even lymph nodes in the mediastinum. The cause is not always obvious, which is why advanced evaluation by a pulmonary specialist is key.

Common Causes of Chronic Cough

Our team uses a thorough diagnostic approach—often including CT scans, pulmonary function tests, and in some cases bronchoscopy with Transbronchial Biopsy (TBB) or Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS)—to identify the source of your cough.

Some of the most common causes we evaluate include:

Postnasal Drip / Upper Airway Cough Syndrome

Mucus from the sinuses drains into the throat, triggering a persistent cough, especially at night.

Asthma

Cough-variant asthma causes airway inflammation and can result in a dry, non-productive cough that worsens with exercise or cold air.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Stomach acid irritates the esophagus and airways, often without noticeable heartburn.

Chronic Bronchitis or COPD

Long-term inflammation from smoking or environmental exposure causes a productive, daily cough.

Medications

ACE inhibitors, used for high blood pressure, are a common cause of a persistent dry cough.

Lung Infections and Cancer

A chronic cough may be an early sign of lung cancer, tuberculosis, or other serious lung conditions. If imaging reveals a suspicious area, we may use Navigation Bronchoscopy, TBB, or EBUS to investigate further.

When Should You See a Pulmonary Specialist?

You should seek expert evaluation for a chronic cough if:

• It lasts longer than 8 weeks
  
  
• It's associated with shortness of breath, weight loss, or coughing up blood
  
  
• Over-the-counter medications haven’t helped
  
  
• You’re a smoker or have a history of lung disease or abnormal CT scan findings
  
  

Diagnostic Tools at Stat Care Pulmonary and Sleep

We use the most advanced tools in pulmonary medicine to diagnose chronic cough causes with precision:

• CT Scans of the chest to detect structural abnormalities, masses, or infections
  
  
• Pulmonary Function Tests to evaluate airflow and lung capacity
  
  
• Bronchoscopy with tools like forceps and needle aspiration for tissue sampling
  
  
• Transbronchial Biopsy (TBB) and Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) for deeper tissue evaluation in the mediastinum
  
  
• Navigation Bronchoscopy for hard-to-reach lung nodules possibly linked to cancer
  
  

Comprehensive, Personalized Treatment Plans

Once the cause of your chronic cough is identified, we develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs. Treatment may include:

• Prescription inhalers or steroid medications
• Antibiotics or antifungals if infection is present
• GERD management with diet and medication
• Allergy and sinus treatments
• Smoking cessation and pulmonary rehabilitation
• Advanced care for lung cancer or chronic pulmonary conditions
  
  

Why Choose Stat Care Pulmonary and Sleep?

Our expert team provides:

• Decades of experience in pulmonary and critical care
• Compassionate, personalized care with advanced diagnostics
• Minimally invasive options like EBUS, TBB, and Navigation Bronchoscopy
• Fast, accurate diagnosis to get you answers—and relief—sooner
  
  

Don’t Let a Chronic Cough Go Unchecked

If you've been coughing for weeks without relief, it’s time to get answers from the lung specialists trusted across St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay area.