Do you find yourself coughing day after day—long after a cold should have passed? Does your cough disrupt your sleep, conversations, or daily routine? A persistent cough may seem harmless, but in many cases, it’s your body’s way of signaling an underlying health issue.
A chronic cough doesn’t just cause irritation or embarrassment—it can interfere with sleep, strain your chest muscles, trigger headaches, and significantly reduce your quality of life. And because coughing is so common, many people delay seeking help.
Board-certified sleep medicine specialist Dr. Michael N. Newton & Denise Carulli, APRN, who serve patients in and around Tampa, Florida, help diagnose and treat chronic cough by identifying its root cause—so patients can breathe, sleep, and live more comfortably.
In this blog, Dr. Newton explains what causes chronic cough, the warning signs to watch for, and how effective treatment can bring lasting relief.
A cough is your body’s natural reflex to clear irritants, mucus, or infections from your airways. While most coughs resolve within a few weeks, a chronic cough is defined as one that lasts more than eight weeks in adults.
Rather than being a condition itself, chronic cough is usually a symptom of an underlying problem. Common causes include:
Postnasal drip (upper airway cough syndrome)
Asthma or cough-variant asthma
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Chronic sinus infections
Sleep apnea
Smoking or exposure to irritants
Certain medications, such as ACE inhibitors
Identifying the true cause is essential for effective treatment.
A lingering cough often comes with additional symptoms that provide important clues.
Dr. Newton & Denise Carulli, APRN encourage patients to take note of symptoms such as:
A cough that lasts longer than 8 weeks
Frequent throat clearing
A tickling or burning sensation in the throat
Coughing that worsens at night or when lying down
Shortness of breath or wheezing
Hoarseness or voice changes
Chest tightness or discomfort
Sleep disruption due to coughing fits
If your cough is persistent, worsening, or affecting your sleep, it’s time to seek medical evaluation.
Chronic cough can affect people of all ages, but certain factors increase your risk, including:
Asthma or allergies
Acid reflux or heartburn
Chronic sinus or nasal congestion
Smoking or secondhand smoke exposure
Obesity
Sleep apnea
Environmental irritants such as dust, chemicals, or pollution
Dr. Newton & Denise Carulli, APRN offer comprehensive evaluations to determine whether your cough is related to a respiratory issue, reflux, or a sleep-related breathing disorder.
While an occasional cough is normal, a chronic cough can signal a more serious condition—and ignoring it can lead to complications.
Untreated chronic cough may result in:
Ongoing sleep disruption and daytime fatigue
Chest or rib pain from repeated coughing
Headaches or dizziness
Voice strain or vocal cord damage
Worsening of underlying conditions like asthma or reflux
Reduced quality of life and increased stress
Addressing the cause early can prevent symptoms from becoming long-term or more severe.
Once the cause of your cough is identified, Dr. Newton will develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Treatment options may include:
Treating underlying conditions such as asthma, reflux, or sinus disease
Medications to reduce inflammation or acid reflux
Nasal sprays or antihistamines for postnasal drip
Lifestyle changes, such as weight management or smoking cessation
Sleep apnea evaluation and treatment if nighttime coughing is present
Many patients notice significant improvement once the root cause—not just the cough—is treated.
In addition to medical care, Dr. Newton & Denise Carulli, APRN recommend these supportive strategies:
Stay well hydrated to thin mucus
Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke
Elevate your head while sleeping
Reduce exposure to allergens and irritants
Avoid late-night meals if reflux is an issue
Maintain good sleep hygiene for restorative rest
Small daily changes can make a big difference in symptom control.
If you’ve been living with a cough that won’t go away, don’t ignore it. Identifying the cause is the first step toward lasting relief—and better sleep.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Newton or Denise Carulli, APRN, call the office at 813-975-4300 or request an appointment online today.
