Chronic Cough in Seniors: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options

Living with a chronic cough as a senior can be bothersome. Having to regularly clear your throat or expel mucus is not only frustrating, but physically uncomfortable, too. There are a variety of reasons you may develop a long-term cough, and it’s usually a symptom of an underlying condition. It’s important to consult your primary physician as soon as you notice the issue, as early diagnosis can help you manage your health and improve your quality of life.

What’s Considered Chronic Cough?

It’s a cough that lasts longer than eight weeks in adults, particularly if you’re 65 or older. Your immunity naturally declines with age, making you more susceptible to infections and illnesses that may result in coughing. Reduced respiratory muscle strength and decreased sensitivity also make you feel as though you need to cough harder to clear your airway.

This condition differs from an acute cough, which typically lasts less than three weeks and resolves itself after you’ve recovered from a cold or the flu. A chronic issue often requires medical attention and specific treatment to ease symptoms.

Chronic Cough Symptoms

• Shortness of breath: Constant coughing affects your breathing and can leave you feeling winded, especially after physical exertion.
• Voice changes: Forceful coughing can lead to vocal cord swelling.
• Throat irritation: Inflammation increases the nerve sensitivity in your throat, creating a vicious cycle of coughing and soreness.
• Producing phlegm: Conditions like bronchitis and allergies trigger mucus production in your body to trap bacteria and allergens.
• Muscle strain: Coughing repeatedly can strain the muscles in your chest wall, rib cage and abdomen.

Common Causes of Chronic Coughing

• Post-nasal drip: You may develop a cough due to excess mucus that drips into the back of your throat, especially when you recline.
• Asthma: The inflammation caused by asthma narrows your airway and makes you more prone to coughing.
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: This chronic inflammatory disease restricts airflow to your lungs. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis fall under the COPD umbrella and can create phlegm.
• Acid reflux: If stomach acid gets into the tube that connects your stomach and throat, it can result in cough-inducing irritation.
• Lung cancer: Tumors can affect your lung tissue, leading to inflammation that causes coughing. Chemotherapy can increase mucus production, too.
• Medication: Some drugs used have adverse side effects, particularly those used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure, which can result in a dry cough.

How is Chronic Cough Diagnosed in Seniors?

Diagnosing a chronic cough begins with a conversation with your doctor. They’ll review your medical history and assess your symptoms to help them determine the source of your symptoms. Your answers can provide context that will direct their evaluation.

You may need to undergo imaging tests of your chest and sinuses to determine if there is an obstruction or growth contributing to your cough. Lung function tests are another method of diagnosing conditions like asthma and COPD, as they reveal how your lungs hold and expel air. If your cough produces colored phlegm, you may need lab tests to determine if an infection is the source of your discomfort.

In certain cases, your provider may use a thin scope to visually inspect your nasal passages and airways.

How Do I Treat My Chronic Cough

Treating your chronic cough depends on the source of the issue. There are a variety of medications that can help ease the effects of illnesses that contribute to your cough, including decongestants, corticosteroids, inhalers, antihistamines, acid blockers and antibiotics. Your physician can provide appropriate recommendations for prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

You can also soothe throat irritation with the following tips:

• Drink plenty of water to thin mucus.
• Try peppermint or ginger tea to aid decongestion and reduce throat inflammation.
• Mix honey into tea or warm water to coat your throat and reduce irritation.
• Run a humidifier or steamer to add moisture to your environment and loosen mucus. You can use steam from a hot shower or bath.
• Gargle warm salt water to loosen mucus and phlegm in the back of your throat.
• Elevate your head while lying down to ease post-nasal drip and acid reflux.
• Avoid irritants like cigarette smoke, pollution, dust and fragrances.

Respiratory Care at Embassy Healthcare

As a proud partner of the American Lung Association, Embassy Healthcare strives to provide personalized respiratory and pulmonary care to all residents. We provide thorough assessments, oxygen therapy, aerosol treatments and much more to help you manage your chronic cough or other respiratory issues. Learn about our locations in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina and Florida.