title: Approaching chronic cough.
abstract: Chronic cough is one of the most common reasons for referral to a respiratory physician. Although fatal complications are rare, it may cause considerable distress in the patient's daily life. Western and local data shows that in patients with a normal chest radiograph, the most common causes are postnasal drip syndrome, postinfectious cough, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and cough variant asthma. Less common causes are the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, smoker's cough and nonasthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis. A detailed history-taking and physical examination will provide a diagnosis in most patients, even at the primary care level. Some cases may need further investigations or specialist referral for diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Changi General Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: Vijo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Poulose
authors.affiliation: Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Changi General Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: Pei Yee
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Tiew
authors.affiliation: Care and Health Integration, Changi General Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: Choon How
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: How
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003371:Cough / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans
keywords: chronic cough; subacute cough