Why You Can’t Stop Coughing: The 4 Horsemen of Chronic Coughs

A cough that just won’t go away can be exhausting and confusing. Is it allergies? A sinus infection? Acid reflux? Asthma? Or something left behind after COVID?In this episode of My Allergist Dad, Drew sits down with his dad, allergist and immunologist Dr. Z, to break down chronic cough—what it actually means, how it’s different from a short-term cough, and why so many people bounce between specialists without getting answers.They walk through the four most common causes of chronic cough, including post-nasal drip from allergies or sinus infections, silent reflux, cough-variant asthma, and post-viral (including post-COVID) neurogenic cough. Dr. Z explains how these conditions overlap, how doctors narrow down the cause, and why treating the root problem—not just the cough—matters.You’ll also hear why chronic cough can be so frustrating socially, why cough syrup often doesn’t help, and what new research is exploring for people whose cough doesn’t respond to standard treatments.If you’ve been coughing for weeks (or longer) and wondering what’s going on, this episode will help you understand what questions to ask—and what might actually help.As always, this show is for general informational and entertainment purposes only and is not medical advice.