What causes a chronic cough?

First check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if any of your prescribed medications can cause a chronic cough. The biggest offender is blood pressure medication called Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Often allergies are year round. They can produce excess mucus resulting in a postnasal drip that can irritate your throat and lead to a chronic cough.

Asthma is another condition that can trigger a chronic dry cough, which can be a wheezing equivalent. This is a sign of hyperactive airways that can also cause wheezing and shortness of breath. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is another lung condition that can cause a cough. It can be in the form of chronic bronchitis, which is chronic inflammation and damage of major airways. It is also associated with wheezing and breathlessness and sputum production. Bronchiectasis is another lung condition where the bronchial tubes or air passages are dilated and collect a lot of mucus that can be cleared out. Pneumonia and other respiratory infections that cause irritated, inflamed airways can cause a chronic cough.

Gastroesphageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition where acid splashes up into the throat and esophagus, sometimes even the lungs if is severe. This irritation can lead to a chronic cough.

Another possible serious medical condition that is signaled by a chronic cough is lung cancer.  It is seen more often in smokers but even non-smokers can develop lung cancer and have a chronic cough or pneumonia that will not get better.