Chronic Cough Specialist

A chronic cough is a clear sign of something amiss in your body — and that’s why you need expert diagnosis and care. At Allergy & Asthma Clinic of Maryland in Silver Spring, Maryland, experienced, board-certified physician Vasif Kalfa, MD, provides compassionate care for chronic coughs and the underlying conditions that cause them. Schedule your appointment online or call the office to set up a consultation with Dr. Kalfa.

Chronic Cough Q & A

What is a chronic cough?

A chronic cough is one that lasts for longer than eight weeks. Most coughs cause short-term symptoms and then go away naturally as you recover from an illness.

For example, an upper respiratory infection usually causes a dry (no mucus) cough that lasts 2-3 weeks before fading away.

Chronic coughs can be dry or productive (mucus-producing), but the important thing to remember is that any cough lasting a long time is serious and requires diagnosis and treatment.

What causes a chronic cough?

A chronic cough has many possible underlying causes, including:

• Asthma
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Allergies
• Cigarette smoking
• Postnasal drip
• Bronchitis

Less commonly, a chronic cough may occur with foreign bodies in your lungs, a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in your lungs), cystic fibrosis, or lung cancer.

If you're dealing with a chronic cough, a proper diagnosis is the first step in finding relief.

When should I see the doctor about a chronic cough?

In general, it's best to call Allergy & Asthma Clinic of Maryland if you experience a cough that doesn't improve or even worsens over a couple of weeks.

If you're experiencing discomfort, sore throat, chest pain, difficulty sleeping, or other symptoms related to your cough, it's important to reach out to Dr. Kalfa before the problem worsens.

How is the cause of a chronic cough diagnosed?

At Allergy & Asthma Clinic of Maryland, Dr. Kalfa performs a complete exam, reviews your medical history, and considers all your symptoms to identify the cause of your chronic cough.

He may recommend allergy testing and pulmonary function testing to determine whether you have allergies, asthma, COPD, chronic bronchitis, or another condition. Testing is a simple, in-office process.

How is a chronic cough treated?

Allergy & Asthma Clinic of Maryland offers a wide variety of personalized solutions for chronic cough. Dr. Kalfa’s goal is to resolve the root cause of your chronic cough.

While cough suppressants can temporarily relieve symptoms, Dr. Kalfa also treats asthma, allergies, and other underlying triggers to help you enjoy long-term freedom from chronic cough.

If you have an irritating, painful, or disruptive cough, Allergy & Asthma Clinic of Maryland can help. Use the online appointment maker or call the office to arrange your visit with Dr. Kalfa.