If you’ve had a cough most days for more than 8 weeks, it’s time to have a yarn with your doctor or health worker. Cough syrups or home remedies might help for a little while, but they won’t fix the real problem if something bigger is going on.
This factsheet from Lung Foundation Australia explains why a cough might not go away and why it’s important to get your cough checked. It’s important to make sure you get the right treatment for you because not all coughs are the same.
Some examples of what can cause a long-cough are:
- Dust, smoke, or chemicals at work
- Nose or sinus problems
- Throat issues
- Reflux from your stomach
- Asthma, bronchitis, COPD or other lung sickness
- Heart problems
- Infections
Work with your doctor to find the right treatment for your health story. Make sure to have a yarn with your GP or pharmacist before buying cough syrup or tablets because they don’t always work and can sometimes make your cough worse. Treatment will depend on what’s causing your cough. It may involve lifestyle changes, prescribed medicines, or other support like speech therapy or breathing exercises to help you manage the cough.
Some treatments take time to work so it’s important to keep going and make changes if needed. It’s a good idea to keep track of your symptoms and how your treatment is working so your GP can understand what’s working and what’s not.
Whether you have a long‑lasting cough or you’re supporting someone who does, this factsheet is a helpful and simple guide. It gives readers the information they need to have useful conversations with healthcare professionals and to make safe, effective choices about medicines for managing a long-term cough.
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