[1][8] Chronic cough is a common symptom in several different respiratory diseases like COPD or pulmonary fibrosis[9] but in non-smokers with a normal chest x-ray chronic cough are often associated with asthma, rhinosinusitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease or could be idiopathic.
If the chronic cough is associated with rhinosinusitis or reflux, symptoms may also include a runny or stuffy nose, a feeling of liquid running down the back of the throat (postnasal drip), heartburn or sour taste in a person's mouth, and in rare cases coughing blood.
This interference can thus cause additional problems such as affecting a person's ability to ensure a consistent sleep, daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating at work or school, headache, and dizziness.
Other more severe but rare complications include fainting, urinary incontinence, and broken ribs, caused by excessive coughing.
[20] Long-term exposure to smoke can irritate airways and lead to chronic cough and in severe cases lung damage.
[17] Individuals who work in factories or laboratories that deal with chemicals have a chance of developing chronic cough from long-term exposure.
This then triggers a cascade of events that involve the intercostal muscles, abdominal wall, diaphragm and pelvic floor, which together create the reflex known as coughing.
[dubious – discuss] Typical evaluation of chronic cough begins with diagnosing the person's lifestyle choices, such as smoking, environmental exposure or medication.
From this doctors can opt to use chest radiography if the patient does not smoke, takes any angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, or still has a persistent cough after the period of medication.
[1] The most important risk factors for chronic cough are tobacco smoking and working in a dusty job.