I quit smoking: Why am I still coughing?

I finally quit smoking six weeks ago. But I'm coughing so much, especially in the morning when I first get up. I never coughed like this when I was smoking. What causes this?

- Janet / Illinois

Mayo Clinic pulmonologist Edward Rosenow, M.D., and colleagues answer select questions from readers.

Answer

Many people find that they cough more when they quit smoking. But this is a temporary problem.

Your bronchial tubes are lined with millions of microscopic hairs (cilia). Normally, these hairs sweep irritants and germs out of your airways. But tobacco smoke temporarily paralyzes the cilia. When you quit smoking, the cilia start to regenerate and repair themselves, which results in coughing.

Coughing may last a couple of weeks or months — until the cilia are fully recovered. To relieve coughing, try sipping water or sucking on cough drops. See your doctor if coughing persists longer than eight weeks or if coughing brings up sputum or blood or disturbs your sleep.