Chronic Cough

Evaluating chronic cough; typically defined as a cough lasting more than 8 weeks, through a patient-centered lens means more than identifying a cause—it’s about understanding the individual behind the symptoms.

We begin with empathetic listening and a comprehensive history that explores duration, environmental exposures, medications, and underlying conditions like GERD, asthma, or postnasal drip. We avoid assumptions, instead using open-ended questions to uncover lifestyle factors, cultural influences, and patient concerns. Objective assessments such as chest X-rays or spirometry are guided by patient values and clinical relevance—not reflex testing.

Education and shared decision-making empower patients to understand their options, from behavioral strategies to pharmacologic interventions. Culturally sensitive communication fosters trust and engagement. This approach transforms diagnosis into dialogue and builds a partnership between the patient and us, where healing includes not just symptom relief, but validation and empowerment.