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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffA chronic cough can occur with other signs and symptoms, which may include:
- A runny or stuffy nose
- A sensation of liquid running down the back of your throat
- Wheezing and shortness of breath
- Heartburn or a sour taste in your mouth
- In rare cases, coughing up blood
When to see a doctor
A chronic cough is often defined as a cough lasting eight weeks or more, but any persistent cough can disrupt your life. See your doctor if you have a cough that lingers, especially one that brings up sputum or blood, disturbs your sleep, or affects your work or relationships.
- Silvestri RC, et al. Evaluation of subacute and chronic cough in adults. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 9, 2009
- Rosenow EC (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 27, 2009.
- Approach to the patient with a cough. In: Mason RJ, et al. Murray & Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2005. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/124735402-3/813991400/1288/241.html. Accessed March 9, 2009.
- Hill DG. Cough. In: Rakel RE, et al. Conn's Current Therapy. 60th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/124890287-5/814421311/1621/18.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4435-2..50010-8--cesec4_130. Accessed March 10, 2009.
- Weinberger SE, et al. Treatment of subacute and chronic cough in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 10, 2009.
- Upper endoscopy. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/upperendoscopy. Accessed March 10, 2009.
- Bronchoscopy. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/bron/bron_whatis.html. Accessed March 10, 2009.
- Prednisone. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a601102.html. Accessed March 10, 2009.
- Heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux (GER), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/gerd. Accessed March 10, 2009.
- Natural medicines in the clinical management of cold and flu: Cough. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed March 10, 2009.
