How To Stop A Cough That Won't Go Away

What should you do if you want to stop a cough that won’t go away?

We’ve all had coughs and colds that usually settle down after a week or so. But what if you still have a lingering cough after everything else has gone? From desert-dry coughs to phlegmy throat coughs, some just won’t go away. If that’s the case, what do you need to know? How can you treat the common causes yourself? And when should you get help?

We’ll cover all of this in today’s video on how to stop a cough that won't go away.

0:00:58 - Typical Cough Progression (When Should Your Cough Go Away)
0:02:00 - Acid Reflux and Post-Nasal Drip
0:02:42 - 5 Things You Can Do To Stop A Cough
0:04:24 - When To Get Extra Help
0:05:00 - Changing Your Medication: A Warning
0:05:23 - Summary

My name is Dr Tom Micklewright, a Medical Doctor working in the NHS in the UK. I have not received any financial compensation from any of the apps in this video, so this is an independent video.

FreePik, M-Stock Agency, Christian Bodhi, Engin_akyurt, Myriam’s Fotos, coltsfan, Hassas_Arts, naturalherbsclinic, life-of-vids, lademenorca, peter perhac

[missymurphy]

I have had a chronic cough since 2012. Getting ready to do all the tests again even though in the last round nobody had a diagnosis. I have downloaded an app to help me track my cough.

[jonbrill]

I had a chronic cough for several weeks. I was also having a difficult time breathing. I am a pretty active person who runs and exercises on a daily basis. I went and saw the Dr. He told me I had exercise induced asthma. I disagreed and explained that my coughing and shortness of breath was happening as I was there in the examination room. He sent me to have a chest X-ray and it was negative. I still had a difficult time breathing. Two days later I was in the hospital with severe Pulmonary Embolisms. I was in the hospital for a week. I almost died. I never thought my issue was that severe.

[davidjones]

Where was the advice on how to stop a persistent cough?

[malloryjines]

If you take blood pressure medication and have a dry cough, please have your dr adjust your medication to a different category. I’ve taken various meds for 27 years and had been on one in particular for at least 10 years when the dr increased it to the maximum dose. I had had a respiratory infection prior to the cough and it never went away. Took ME a few months to question the med. I had 5 cracked ribs, was vomiting every morning and using a pillow over my ribs when I coughed. 9 months of this! Told dr to change it and within 2 weeks the cough was better. By one month it was gone. My father also had it many years ago. Dr told me this can happen ANYTIME, even if you’ve been taking the medication for 20 years! My father had the same problem.

[carawynne]

I have had my cough nearly 2yrs and and my Doc sent me for x ray and it was clear and then checked for asthma but Dr Tom was the one who told me it was the acid reflux. Thank you Dr Tom 😀

[ioyugve]

This is a good video thank you DR. But they so many people here saying that they have been coughing for many weeks, months and some years and they're asking what they can do. Please lovely people who are asking have you seen your doctor? If not why don't you go NOW it's not too late. Get well soon as myself waiting hospital appointment. My Doctor decided that I should go and see the Respiratory specialist here we go

[alanlamb]

Got a bad cough almost choking thru it, never smoked going dizzy unable to sleep heads banging, doctor said i might have a pulled stomache muscle, thinking going to A&E

[deborahjohnson]

Awesome! The journey analogy really helped!!!❤

[hoptoi]

For over ten years, I had a cough that mainly started after I had been up a few hours. I went through tons of tests and the drs concluded that it was acid reflux. I had been on reflux pills for years, and it did nothing for my cough. Then, after a series of events that caused me to think it might be caused by dairy, I gave up dairy; and, my cough went away!

[JersonLaroya]

I have a cough for 2 months, I've been to a doctor 4 times but the medication still didn't get rid of my cough, what should i do?

[barbarajones]

What is your recommendation for coughing from blood pressure medication (amalopine)?

[giejiejain]

i have been coughing for 2weks now and today wake up in ribs pain upper back and lower front everytime i cough too uncomfortable and very painful

[amandas]

Look up suppression of coughing and try it. It’s a therapy for habitual coughing and it works.

[delphinescott]

How can i see your video on stop smoking

[waynefoote]

My coughing went away 80 percent when i stopped smoking cigarettes.

[rinzler]

Vitamin D helped with my persistent cough.

[karensaba-xswm]

Felt like this was just for me.
Thank you Dr Tom.

[Mary-JaneLeclerc]

I have had a cough a blocked nose in the morning and at night for nearly 2 year . I am so over it . I went to see a specialist he tells me, I have turbinate in my nose and that's causes my coughing. I am on a waiting list hopefully I will stop coughing after I have a operation.

[barbarafallin]

I had a chronic cough for a year, I read about gabapentin, for it and lord and behold, it went away

[Kevdog]

I’ve had acid reflux too. And I have a cough because we had no heat for 2 weeks