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Chronic Cough Evaluation in Gangnam, Seoul

Medically reviewed by Dr. Kim Yoo Suk, MD · Board-certified otolaryngologist · Former professor, Yonsei & Ajou University · Consultations in English

What is a chronic cough?

Doctors define a chronic cough in adults as one lasting more than eight weeks. A cough lasting three to eight weeks is called subacute and often follows a cold. A long-lasting cough is exhausting: it disturbs sleep, strains the voice, and can be embarrassing at work or in shared spaces.

Coughing is a protective reflex, so the aim is to find what is triggering it rather than simply suppress it.

Symptoms that often come with it

• Dry, tickly cough or cough with mucus
• Frequent throat clearing or a feeling of mucus dripping down the throat
• Hoarseness or a sore throat after coughing fits
• Cough worse at night, after meals or when lying down
• Wheezing or shortness of breath (suggesting a chest cause)

Common causes

• Upper airway cough syndrome: postnasal drip from allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis or non-allergic rhinitis
• Asthma and cough-variant asthma
• Reflux: GERD or laryngopharyngeal reflux
• Post-infectious cough after a viral illness
• Medication: ACE inhibitor blood pressure drugs are a known cause
• Smoking and air pollution, including Seoul's spring yellow dust and fine dust
• Less common: chronic lung disease, tuberculosis or tumors

How it's diagnosed at our Gangnam clinic

As a rhinology subspecialist, Dr. Kim pays close attention to the nose and sinuses, which are a frequent but under-recognized source of chronic cough. Evaluation may include nasal endoscopy to look for mucus drainage, polyps or inflammation, laryngoscopy to check the larynx for reflux changes or lesions, and an allergy test when allergic rhinitis is suspected. A sinus CT scan may be used if chronic sinusitis is likely. If chest symptoms dominate, a chest X-ray or referral to a pulmonologist is advised.

Treatment options

Treatment targets the identified cause:

• Nasal steroid sprays, antihistamines or saline irrigation for rhinitis and postnasal drip
• Appropriate treatment of chronic sinusitis, including surgery only if medication fails
• Anti-reflux measures and medication for reflux-related cough
• Referral for asthma testing and inhaler treatment when indicated
• Reviewing medications and supporting smoking cessation

Often more than one cause is present, so treatments may be combined and adjusted at follow-up.

When to see an ENT

See a doctor for a cough lasting more than three weeks without improvement. Seek prompt care if you cough up blood, have unexplained weight loss, night sweats, fever, chest pain, shortness of breath, or a history of heavy smoking.

Seeing Dr. Kim in English

Dr. Kim Yoo Suk published research on chronic rhinosinusitis symptoms and is a member of the Korean Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Clinical Immunology. A former Yonsei and Ajou faculty member who treats all ENT conditions, he discusses your cough history in English. The clinic is right outside Gangnam-gu Office Station Exit 3-1; check hours and directions.

Frequently asked questions

Can a nose problem cause a chronic cough?

Yes. Postnasal drip from allergic rhinitis or chronic sinusitis is one of the most common causes of chronic cough in adults. Mucus draining down the throat triggers the cough reflex. Treating the nose often reduces the cough considerably.

When should I worry about a cough?

See a doctor if a cough lasts more than three weeks, and promptly if you cough up blood, lose weight without trying, have fever, night sweats, chest pain or shortness of breath. Smokers should be checked sooner.

Does fine dust in Seoul make coughing worse?

Fine dust and yellow dust can irritate the nose, throat and airways, worsening cough and rhinitis, especially in spring. Wearing a suitable mask on high-pollution days, rinsing the nose with saline and treating underlying rhinitis can help.

This page is general medical information written and reviewed by an ENT specialist. It is not a diagnosis. Symptoms differ between people — please see a doctor for an examination. In an emergency in Korea, call 119.