Can a chronic cough be prevented?

A chronic cough can be a sign of an underlying lung condition such as asthma, acid reflux, smoking-related lung disease, and even lung cancer. You should seek input from your GP or a respiratory doctor should you have a cough lasting longer than 6 to 8 weeks, as there may be causes which can be treated. A chronic cough can’t always be prevented, but you can do things to reduce your risk, including:

• stopping, or not starting, smoking

• avoiding exposure to irritants like air pollution, dust, and strong chemicals

• drinking 1.5 to 2 litres of fluid daily to help thin mucus, making it easier to clear from your airways

• managing any underlying conditions such as asthma, allergies, nasal symptoms, and acid reflux

• practising at-home self-care methods such as steam inhalation, sucking on cough drops and using humidifiers to keep airways moist