Differential diagnostic detective work and trial therapies

If you have a chronic cough, you need to investigate the cause. Is it a post-infectious symptom? Is it due to a problem in the upper or lower respiratory tract or could it be of extrapulmonary origin? In any case, prolonged cough symptoms should not be taken lightly, as those affected can suffer from a considerable reduction in their quality of life. If the cause can be determined, targeted treatment can be initiated. In the case of idiopathic coughs, the aim of treatment is to alleviate the symptoms.