Chronic Cough
Some coughs do not go away, because they are not only waiting to be silenced, but to be understood.
What Is Chronic Cough?
Unlike coughs caused by short-term infections, chronic cough is a complaint that lasts for weeks and can significantly affect the quality of life. It is not a disease on its own, but often a symptom of different underlying causes. In some patients, the cough may be dry and persistent, while in others, it may appear as a tickling sensation in the throat, a frequent need to clear the throat, or a cough that increases while talking.
Why Can Diagnosis Be Difficult in Chronic Cough?
In some patients, the diagnostic process may not be straightforward at first glance. This is often because chronic cough involves more than one contributing factor.
- The chest X-ray may be normal.
- Pulmonary function tests may appear normal initially.
- The cough may persist for a long time.
Our Clinical Approach to Chronic Cough
In the evaluation of chronic cough, we approach our patients systematically and comprehensively. The following steps are planned together during this process:
Our clinic is equipped to perform advanced diagnostic tests aimed at investigating the causes of chronic cough. This allows different mechanisms that may lead to cough to be evaluated in detail and helps us build a personalized approach.
- Detailed patient history
- Advanced pulmonary function testing
- Bronchial sensitivity assessment
- Evaluation of the upper airway and reflux
- Analysis of environmental trigger factors
A Holistic (Functional) Approach to Chronic Cough
Chronic cough is often not linked to a single cause. Therefore, our evaluation does not focus on just one factor; we assess multiple areas that may influence the cough together.
Current scientific approaches recommend considering not only classic causes, but also a broader biological and systemic framework in the evaluation of chronic cough. The aim of this approach is not simply to suppress the cough, but to identify and reduce the factors that trigger it.
- Conditions related to histamine metabolism, such as histamine intolerance
- Gastrointestinal factors such as gut microbiota imbalance and SIBO
- Conditions that may affect immune response, such as vitamin D deficiency
- Environmental exposures that may contribute to cough reflex hypersensitivity in some patients
Experience and an International Perspective
Clinical and academic experience in chronic cough, together with knowledge gained through international work, helps integrate current global approaches into daily clinical practice. In this framework, each patient is evaluated individually.
How Is Treatment Planned?
Treatment is planned individually according to the underlying causes. In some patients, more than one approach may be used together.
- Asthma treatments
- Reflux-focused interventions
- Upper airway treatments
- Breathing exercises
- Cough control techniques
Conclusion
Chronic cough is often a treatable condition. With proper evaluation, the cause or triggers of the cough can be identified.
In our clinic, classical medical assessment and holistic evaluation are used together to create a personalized plan for each patient.
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact our team for detailed assessment and appointment scheduling.
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Comprehensive evaluation and personalised treatment plan with Prof. Dr. Necla Songür.