• Welcome
  • Biography
    • Education & Qualifications
    • Research
  • Respiratory Medicine
    • Chronic Cough
    • COPD
  • Sleep Disorders
    • Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)
  • Locations
    • 77 Wimpole Street
    • Harefield Hospital
    • BMI Bishops Wood Hospital
    • Royal Brompton Hospital
  • Appointments
    • Contact
  • Testimonials

Chronic Cough

A chronic cough is one that lasts a long time (typically more than 6 weeks) and is different from an acute cough. An acute cough is very common after a cold or the flu, but usually starts improving or has completely improved within 3 weeks.

You should see your GP if you've had a cough for more than three weeks or if your cough is progressively getting worse. If you experience breathing difficulties, chest pain or you cough up blood, speak to your GP or contact a lung specialist like Dr Man immediately.

If your GP is unsure what's causing your cough, they should refer you to a lung specialist like Dr Man, who may request further tests, including:
  • a chest X-ray - to see if you have a chest infection 
  • taking a sample of your phlegm for analysis - to help decide if antibiotics should be prescribed 
  • lung function (breathing tests to see how well your lungs are working and to see if you have an underlying respiratory condition)
  • allergy testing - to see whether your cough is caused by something you're allergic to, such as house dust mites
  • a CT scan to exclude a lung disease or cancer

The vast majority cases of cough are not due to lung cancer – however lung specialists such as Dr Man can rapidly identify the problem and provide appropriate treatment. The cause of a chronic cough can be identified in most people. The commonest causes are:
  • allergic rhinitis, such as hay fever 
  • a flare-up of a long-term condition such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or chronic bronchitis
  • gastro-oesophageal reflux disease - due to irritation and damage caused by stomach acid 
  • smoking

You can learn more about coughs from the NHS Choices website.
Privacy Policy and Cookie Information

Terms of Use

Contact Us
Dr William Man
Department of Respiratory Medicine
Harefield Hospital
Hill End Road
Harefield, Middlesex
UB9 6JH
UK
PA (Private): Anne Lewington
​Tel: +44 (0)1895 828 851
Fax: +44 (0)1895 828 889
Email: anne.lewington@nhs.net

PA (Private & NHS): Laura Simmons

Tel: +44 (0)1895 823 737 (ext 85314)
Fax: +44 (0)1895 828 889
Email: l.simmons@rbht.nhs.uk