What causes chronic cough?

There are many possible causes of chronic cough. The most common causes include:

1. Asthma: Asthma can cause a cough that gets worse at night or in the morning.2. Reflux (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, GERD): A cough can occur when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus.
2. Chronic Bronchitis: Chronic cough caused by inflammation of the airways, usually seen in smokers.
3. Allergies: Allergens such as pollen, dust, and animal dander can cause cough.
4. Medications: Blood pressure medications, especially ACE inhibitors, can cause cough.
5. Infections: For example, a cough may persist after a previous upper respiratory tract infection.
6. Smoking: Smoking is a major factor that triggers cough.

Some additional information may be helpful in identifying other conditions that may be causing your chronic cough:

1. How long has your cough been going on?

2. Is the cough dry or productive?

3. Are there any other symptoms? For example, fever, weight loss, night sweats, shortness of breath, etc.

4. Do you have any allergies?

5. Do you smoke? If so, how long and how much?

6. What medications do you take?

These questions are essential to narrowing down the possible causes of your cough.

If I get your answer, I can give you more detailed information. However, you can follow some general advice that I have outlined above:

• Keep your throat moist by drinking plenty of water.
• Avoid eating right before bed to prevent reflux.
• If you smoke, consider quitting.

Now, let's determine the likely doctor you should visit:

I am not a real doctor and this is not a medical diagnosis.