Chronic Cough & Airway Disorders

A cough is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care — and while it often starts with a cold, virus, or allergies, a cough that lasts more than eight weeks is considered chronic and may have multiple causes. Common sources include postnasal drip, asthma, reflux, or airway irritation. Identifying the cause is the key to effective relief.

At Allergy & Asthma Associates of Michigan, our board-certified Allergy & Immunology physicians evaluate chronic cough and airway symptoms to determine whether allergies, asthma, reflux, or other conditions are to blame. We’ll develop a treatment plan to reduce irritation, calm inflammation, and restore your comfort.

If you’ve had a lingering cough that won’t go away, schedule an evaluation today.

Chronic cough and airway disorders can cause:

• Persistent coughing, often worse at night or after eating
• Postnasal drip or frequent throat clearing
• Hoarseness or voice changes
• Shortness of breath or wheezing
• Sensation of something “stuck” in the throat
• Heartburn or reflux symptoms
• Fatigue or disrupted sleep from coughing episodes

We begin with a thorough review of your medical history, exposures, and symptom patterns. Depending on your case, we may recommend:

• Allergy testing to identify postnasal drip or environmental triggers contributing to cough
• Spirometry or pulmonary function testing to evaluate asthma or airway obstruction
• Reflux evaluation if symptoms suggest gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Imaging when structural airway problems or sinus issues are suspected, and working collaboratively with an ENT provider
• Cough trigger assessment for factors such as irritants, medications, or infections

Our goal is to determine the underlying cause and develop a targeted treatment plan for lasting relief.

The primary approach for chronic cough and airway disorders focuses on reducing inflammation, controlling triggers, and supporting airway healing. Based on your diagnosis, we may recommend:

• Allergy management — treating nasal and sinus inflammation with antihistamines, nasal sprays, or immunotherapy when allergies contribute to coughing.
• Asthma control therapy — inhaled corticosteroids or bronchodilators to reduce airway inflammation, tightening, and cough.
• Reflux management — lifestyle changes and medications that reduce stomach acid to ease reflux-related cough.
• Postnasal drip relief — saline rinses, nasal corticosteroids, and other treatments that reduce mucus drainage and throat irritation.
• Cough suppression and symptom relief — short-term cough medications to calm irritation while we address the underlying cause.
• Lifestyle and environmental guidance — identifying and limiting irritants such as smoke, perfumes, cleaning chemicals, or pollutants that worsen cough.
• Specialized treatments — including respiratory retraining therapy for cough hypersensitivity or biologic therapies for chronic airway inflammation when indicated.

We’ll tailor your plan to address the cause of your cough and improve your comfort and quality of life.