Dry Cough In Practice: Diagnostic And Management Approach
Mohammad Ashik Imran Khan1, Md. Khairul Hassan Jessy2, Jalal Mohsin Uddin3, Md. Annazmus Sakib 4
Abstract
Cough is one of the most common symptoms for which medical treatment is sought in any outpatient
setting including respiratory medicine. Chronic dry cough poses both diagnostic and management challenge
to the attending physician. The most common causes of chronic cough in adults are upper airway cough
syndrome, asthma and gastroesophageal reflux disease, alone or in combination. In most of the cases,
cough occurs as part of a brief, self-limiting illness. But it can become a persistent symptom in many
cases. The etiology of cough is very diverse and can be attributed to both respiratory and non respiratory
causes. This article takes an attempt to discuss the mechanism and etiology of cough, along with recent
advances in the field of cough, highlighting some of the diagnostic and management challenges.
Keywords: Cough, Chronic Cough, Diagnosis, Guidelines, Management