Management of chronic cough in primary care

Abstract

Chronic cough is commonly seen in primary care, which often prompts the patient to consult his/her GP or practice nurse. It is essential to consider the variety of reasons why patients may present with a troublesome chronic cough, other than smoking, and initiate the most appropriate treatment. A chronic cough, which may persist for weeks, months or even years, can have a profound affect on the patient's life, as well as a strain on relationships. It is often a symptom that may be viewed by professionals as trivial and consequently, not managed particularly well. This article considers the most common causes of a chronic cough and the steps to take to resolve the problem so the patient can regain a quality of life.