A cough that just won’t go away can be frustrating, disruptive, and even worrying. If your cough has lasted for more than eight weeks, it’s classified as a chronic cough — and it’s usually a signal that something else is going on.
A chronic cough is not a disease itself, but a symptom of an underlying condition. To find lasting relief, you need more than cough medicine — you need to uncover the cause.
At the Respiratory and Sleep Disorder Centre (RSDC) in Melbourne, our specialists are experts in diagnosing and providing effective chronic cough treatment.
The Common Causes Behind Your Persistent Cough
Chronic cough can be triggered by many factors — some obvious, others often overlooked. Understanding these potential causes is the first step toward relief:
Postnasal drip – The most frequent cause, when mucus drips down the throat and irritates the airway.
Asthma – In some cases, coughing is the primary symptom, known as “cough-variant asthma.”
GERD (acid reflux) – Stomach acid that flows back into the esophagus can irritate the windpipe and trigger coughing.
Respiratory infections – A cough may linger long after a cold, flu, or bronchitis has cleared.
Environmental factors – Irritants like smoke, dust, or chemicals can lead to ongoing coughing.
Without the right diagnosis, you may be treating the wrong problem. This is where an experienced respiratory specialist in Melbourne makes all the difference.
How a Respiratory Specialist Finds the Cause
Pinpointing the cause of a chronic cough requires a systematic approach. At RSDC, our specialists combine:
A detailed discussion of your symptoms and medical history
A physical examination
Advanced diagnostic tests, such as a lung function test to measure breathing capacity and detect asthma or COPD
Additional investigations to rule out conditions like allergies, GERD, or postnasal drip
This comprehensive approach ensures your diagnosis is accurate — and your treatment effective.
Your Personalised Treatment Plan
There is no one-size-fits-all solution for chronic cough. Once the cause is identified, your RSDC specialist will design a treatment plan tailored to you, which may include:
Medication – To reduce airway inflammation, control asthma, or manage other respiratory conditions
Lifestyle changes – Simple adjustments to your diet (for reflux) or environment (for allergens/irritants)
Advanced treatments – Specialised therapies or procedures where needed
Our goal is not just to suppress the cough — but to eliminate its root cause, giving you lasting relief.
When to Seek Professional Help
If you’ve had a cough that lingers for weeks and hasn’t improved with over-the-counter remedies, it’s time to see a specialist.
Don’t let a persistent cough continue to disrupt your life. Contact the Respiratory and Sleep Disorder Centre (RSDC) in Melbourne today to book a consultation and get expert help for your chronic cough.
