Cancer Lung Cancer Symptoms Why Can’t I Stop Coughing, and How Do I Stop? Depending on the cause, steam and OTC cough medicines may provide quick relief By Lynne Eldridge, MD Updated on May 27, 2024 Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Common Causes Uncommon Causes Treatments When to Worry Diagnosis There are many possible reasons why you can't stop coughing. The most common include a viral infection, allergies, asthma, chronic bronchitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Treatment with certain medications such as ACE inhibitors can also contribute to a chronic cough. A chronic cough (also called nagging or nonstop cough) is one that lasts for eight weeks or longer. Most chronic coughs aren't serious and will resolve over time. In the meantime, you can treat a chronic cough with over-the-counter remedies like cough drops and cough suppressants or home remedies like steam and honey. This article describes some of the common and uncommon causes of a nonstop cough. It also explains how a chronic cough is diagnosed and treated and when you should see a healthcare provider. Verywell / JR Bee Common Causes of Chronic Cough Causes of a chronic cough can range from those that are a nuisance to those that are potentially life-threatening. Even so, the greater likelihood is that the cause is not serious or, at the very least, manageable with proper treatment. Common Causes Allergies Asthma Bronchitis Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Emphysema Gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) Hiatal hernia Lung infections Medications Pneumonia Postnasal drip Whooping cough Less Common Causes Congestive heart failure Collapsed lung Fungal infections Lung cancer Pulmonary edema Tuberculosis Respiratory Infections One of the most common causes of uncontrollable coughing is an infection with a virus or bacteria. Less common causes include fungi and parasites. Examples include: Post-viral coughs: The common cold and influenza (flu) can cause a chronic post-viral cough. This differs from a cough that arises from acute symptoms like postnasal drip or sore throat. Instead, it is due to inflammatory damage to the airways caused by the viral infection. Croup: This is an infection of the upper airways including the larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe), and bronchi (bronchial tubes). In children, croup can cause a characteristic barking cough. COVID: A chronic cough is characteristic of an acute COVID-19 infection, often accompanied by fever, shortness of breath, and loss of taste or smell. A cough can linger for weeks or months after you’re infected. Pneumonia: Both viral and bacterial pneumonia can cause a chronic cough due to inflammation of the alveoli (air sacs) in one or both lungs. Whooping cough: With whooping cough (pertussis), periods of unrelenting coughing are accompanied by a characteristic "whooping" sound as a person inhales. Acute bronchitis: This is a form of bronchitis that is usually caused by a virus or bacteria. Allergies Coughs can be triggered by an abnormal response of the immune system. Seasonal allergies, including allergic rhinitis (hay fever), can cause a chronic cough. Environmental allergies to mold exposure, dust mites, and cat dander can also cause chronic coughing. Asthma Asthma is a chronic condition that causes the airways to swell. Asthma can make it difficult to breathe, which can trigger coughing. Non-allergic asthma: Also known as intrinsic asthma, this is a form of asthma that occurs when the body releases inflammatory chemicals in response to irritants like smoke, weather conditions, airway infections, food additives, and other environmental triggers. In some people, a cough is the only symptom, referred to as cough-variant asthma. Allergic asthma: Also known as extrinsic asthma, this is a form of asthma that occurs when the immune system releases a substance called histamine in response to an allergy-causing substance. The coughing is due to both the narrowing of the airways (bronchoconstriction) and airway spasms (bronchospasm). Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) COPD is an important cause of a chronic cough, often accompanied by shortness of breath, wheezing cough, and chesty cough. Smoking is both a cause of COPD and a trigger for COPD exacerbations (attacks). Chronic bronchitis: With chronic bronchitis, a form of COPD, the cough will typically produce phlegm. Emphysema: This is a more advanced form of COPD for which a chronic, productive cough is a central feature. Emphysema occurs when damage to the alveoli causes pitting in the lungs. Bronchiectasis This is a condition that occurs when the airways become damaged and widened. Causes of bronchiectasis include prior childhood infection, immune deficiency, and conditions like cystic fibrosis or connective tissue diseases. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Acid reflux, whether occasional or chronic, can cause coughing due to the backflow of stomach acid through the esophageal sphincter. This is the valve through which food passes from the esophagus (feeding tube) into the stomach. GERD is a chronic form of acid reflux. Chronic coughing can occur at night when lying down. It's followed by a hoarse cough in the morning due to esophageal inflammation. Hiatal Hernia Hiatal hernia is when part of the stomach protrudes into the chest through the sheet of muscle called the diaphragm. Hiatal hernia can disrupt the normal position of the esophageal sphincter, allowing acid to backflow into the esophagus. Medication Medications called ACE inhibitors used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure can cause chronic coughing both during the day and at night. ACE inhibitors associated with chronic coughs include Altace (ramipril)Capoten (captopril)Lotensin (benazepril)Prinivil (lisinopril)Vasotec (enalapril) Common Causes of a Persistent Cough Uncommon Causes of a Chronic Cough Less common causes of a constant cough include: Congestive heart failure: Heart failure can cause an unrelenting cough. This cough may produce pink foamy phlegm and usually worsens with lying down. It is most often accompanied by shortness of breath. Collapsed lung: A pneumothorax (collapsed lung) can cause a perpetual cough that often begins suddenly. In addition to a cough, people may note shortness of breath as well as a crackling breathing sound known as crepitus. Fungal infections: Fungal diseases such as coccidioidomycosis, histoplasmosis, and cryptococcosis, among others, may result in a chronic cough. Lung cancer: Lung cancer is a less likely cause of a chronic cough but is important to keep in mind if you have risk factors for the disease. Roughly 50% of people with lung cancer have a cough at the time of their diagnosis. Pulmonary edema: This is when fluid accumulates in the air sacs of the lungs, causing coughing and difficulty breathing. Pulmonary edema can be caused by heart failure and other conditions such as lung infections, neurological disorders, and medications. Tuberculosis: While tuberculosis is fairly uncommon in the United States, it does occur. In addition to a chronic cough, weight loss and night sweats are common. Nonstop Cough Relief The underlying cause of a nonstop cough must be diagnosed before it can be successfully treated and cured. However, there are also things you can do to relieve the symptoms of a cough temporarily. Here are some home remedies, over-the-counter medications, and prescription medications that can soothe or cure a cough. Home Remedies If you have a nagging cough, you may be able to get relief at home with simple remedies. Some of the things that might help include: Steam: Breathing in steam from a pot or bowl can help break up mucus in the lungs and may relieve a cough. Adding eucalyptus oil or Vicks VapoRub to the steam can improve the effect. Humidifier: Using a humidifier puts extra moisture in the air, reducing irritation from dry air. A humidifier may help reduce coughing by relieving the irritation in your airways. Honey: Multiple studies have shown that honey can suppress a cough and help ease symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection. Drinking fluids: Water and other fluids can help thin mucus, making it easier to cough up. Over-the-Counter Cough Medications For mild coughs, you can try over-the-counter medications. These include cough syrups, lozenges, ointments, and oral medications. Examples include: Over-the-counter cough suppressants: These contain drugs like dextromethorphan that suppress coughs by reducing the sensitivity of the airways. If a cough is keeping you up at night, Nyquil, a cough medicine with a mildly sedating antihistamine, can help you sleep. Cough drops and lozenges: Throat lozenges or cough drops may relieve coughs temporarily. Those containing menthol may be particularly effective as menthol acts as a mild anesthetic. Vaporizing ointment: Vicks VapoRub is a mentholated ointment meant to be rubbed on the chest. The ointment releases vapors that provide a cooling sensation and can quiet a cough. Antihistamines: Antihistamines are used to manage symptoms (including coughing) of allergic asthma or respiratory allergies. Expectorants: These medications help loosen mucus, which makes it easier to cough. Pseudoephedrine: This decongestant medication can help dry out your nasal passages, which reduces postnasal drip and reduces the need to cough. Note that cough and cold medications aren't recommended for children under the age of 4. Prescription Cough Medications Your healthcare provider may decide you need prescription medication to help control your cough or the underlying condition that is causing it. Some of these medications include: Acid blockers: H2 blockers are used to suppress a cough caused by stomach acid production in people with acid reflux or GERD. Antibiotics: Antibiotics are used up to clear a bacterial infection that may be responsible for a cough, as with bacterial pneumonia. They will not work on an infection caused by a virus. Inhalers: Different types of inhalers are used to treat asthma or COPD, including bronchodilators that open the airways and corticosteroids that reduce inflammation. Nonstop Cough Relief for Children The Federal Drug Administration does not recommend over-the-counter cough medicines for children under the age of 2. This is because there is a much higher risk of serious, potentially life-threatening side effects in very young children. If in doubt, check the manufacturer's label. Kids' cough medicine labels often say that the products shouldn't be given to children under age 4. Children should never take a cough medicine meant for adults, since it can overdose a child. Home remedies can help ease your child's cough. Some of these include: Make sure they drink plenty of fluidsPut a cool-mist humidifier in their bedroomUse a saline nose spray to help reduce congestionTry having them breath warm vapors, such as from a showerHave them gargle with salt waterFor a child over the age of 2, make sure their head is elevated when they're asleepFor a child over the age of 1, give a spoonful of honey You should not give honey to a child under the age of 1 year. This is because of the risk of botulism, a dangerous bacterial infection. Always ask your child's pediatrician (or another healthcare provider) before giving a baby or young child an over-the-counter medication. Honey,eucalyptus oil, VapoRub, and steam can be dangerous in children and infants. Can't Stop Coughing? When to Worry Most causes of a cough resolve with treatment and time, but see a healthcare provider if you are still coughing after eight weeks and you're also experiencing symptoms such as: Chest pain that seems unrelated to the coughWeight loss and/or poor appetiteFatigueWheezingNight sweats If you experience these symptoms, get emergency medical attention: Severe chest pains Choking Stridor (high-pitched wheezing sounds) Inability to catch your breath Rapid or irregular heartbeats Swelling of the face, tongue, or throat Lightheadedness or fainting Severe trouble breathing Swelling of the face or tongue Coughing up blood-tinged saliva or mucus How Are Coughs Diagnosed? When you see your healthcare provider, the first thing they will do is review your symptoms and medical history and perform a physical exam. This may include listening to lung sounds with a stethoscope. Types of Cough The features of a cough can differ based on the underlying cause and may be described in different ways.When you have a wet (productive) cough, you bring up phlegm when you cough. Your cough may be described as rattling or congested.When you have a dry (unproductive) cough, you do not cough up phlegm. Instead, your cough may be hoarse, hacking, or barking.A cough may have other descriptive features such as painful, wheezy, or paroxysmal (occurring in fits or attacks). Accompanying symptoms may include fatigue, shortness of breath (dyspnea), heartburn, nausea, fever, and nasal congestion. These and other features can give your health provider a clue as to the cause and nature of your cough. Based on the findings, the healthcare provider may order the following tests and procedures: Blood tests: A white blood cell count (WBC) may be done to look for signs of viral or bacterial infections. Bronchoscopy: A bronchoscopy is a test in which a small tube with a light is inserted through your mouth and into your large airways. Chest X-ray: A chest X-ray may be done to look for pneumonia and other possible causes of coughing. Computerized tomography (CT) scan: A CT scan involves multiple X-ray images that are composite to create a three-dimensional image of internal structures, such as the lungs. Esophageal pH testing: This is used to check for signs of acid reflux. Laryngoscopy: Laryngoscopy is a procedure in which a tube is inserted through the mouth to visualize the area around your vocal cords. Nasal swab: A nasal swab can check for infections such as the flu or COVID-19. Spirometry: Spirometry is a test that measures how much air you can blow out of your lungs. It is commonly used to diagnose asthma or COPD. 19 Dry Cough Remedies Summary A chronic cough is one that persists or recurs for more than eight weeks. There are many possible causes including infections, allergies, asthma, COPD, GERD, and even certain medications. Less common causes include tuberculosis and cancer. The diagnosis of chronic cough may involve a physical exam, blood tests, chest X-rays, nasal swabs, or direct imaging procedures like bronchoscopy or laryngoscopy. The treatment varies by the cause but could include simple home remedies such as steam or honey and/or over-the-counter medications like cough drops or expectorants. In some cases your healthcare provider may decide you need a prescription medication such as an antibiotic or an inhaler. 15 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. National Library of Medicine. Cough. Song W-J, Hui CKM, Hull JH, et al. Confronting COVID-19-associated cough and the post-COVID syndrome: role of viral neurotropism, neuroinflammation, and neuroimmune responses. Lancet Respir Med. 2021;9(5):533-544. doi:10.1016/S2213-2600(21)00125-9 Uptodate. Patient education: Chronic cough in adults (beyond the basics). Harle ASM, Blackhall FH, Molassiotis A, et al. Cough in patients with lung cancer: A longitudinal observational study of characterization and clinical associations. Chest. 2019;155(1):103-113. doi:10.1016/j.chest.2018.10.003 European Respiratory Society. Bronchiectasis. Breathe. 2018;14(1):73-80. doi:10.1183/20734735.ELF141 Mount Sinai. Eucalyptus. Abuelgasim H, Albury C, Lee J. Effectiveness of honey for symptomatic relief in upper respiratory tract infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ EBM. 2021;26(2):57-64. doi:10.1136/bmjebm-2020-111336 Food and Drug Administration. Should you give kids medicine for coughs and colds? Food and Drug Administration. Use caution when giving cough and cold products to kids. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Botulism. People at risk. Harvard Health Publishing. That nagging cough. Alqudaihi KS, Aslam N, Khan IU, et al. Cough sound detection and diagnosis using artificial intelligence techniques: Challenges and opportunities. IEEE Access. 2021;9:102327-102344. doi:10.1109/ACCESS.2021.3097559 Ijaz A, Nabeel M, Masood U, et al. Towards using cough for respiratory disease diagnosis by leveraging artificial intelligence: A survey. arXiv e-prints. 2023;arXiv-2309. Kaplan AG. Chronic cough in adults: Make the diagnosis and make a difference. Pulm Ther. 2019;5(1):11-21. doi:10.1007/s41030-019-0089-7 National Library of Medicine. Nasal swab. By Lynne Eldridge, MD Lynne Eldrige, MD, is a lung cancer physician, patient advocate, and award-winning author of "Avoiding Cancer One Day at a Time." See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? 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