Question: Can sinus problems make you cough? My husband has been coughing for many many years, and he has so many tests done, and doctors can’t find anything wrong, but the cough won’t stop. We desperately need help and don’t know where else to go. Please help.
Answer:
Thank you for your question. As I am sure you know, a persistent cough can be a vexing and debilitating problem. It is something we see quite a bit of here at the NY Sinus Center. Obviously, one of the first things to do is to make sure that the problem is not coming from the lungs- such as from pneumonia or bronchitis. I would expect that this has been done.
We at the Sinus Center see cough from several different causes.
1. Sinusitis- an infection of the sinuses can cause a persistent cough when inflamed mucous or pus drips down from the sinuses into the throat. It should certainly be evaluated by an ENT exam, nasal endoscopy and sometimes by a sinus scan (CT).
2. We frequently see a persistent, dry cough, from acid reflux. Acid can come as high as the throat, hit the vocal cords and cause an irritation that makes you cough. At the Sinus Center, we often test for this kind of reflux by our exam, but also by a 24-hour evaluation of acid exposure (pH testing).
3. One can also have a persistent cough from an irritated nerve that goes to the voice box (neurogenic cough)
4. Finally, there are even more unusual causes such as a persistent Pertussis (whooping cough) infection that we are now seeing more commonly in adults, previously vaccinated.
All of these causes are quite treatable- but the treatment recommended is different for each, and one must make the correct diagnosis for therapy to be effective.
We’d be happy to see your husband here at the NY Sinus Center and help clear things up.
Robert Pincus MD, FACS
Co-Director NY Sinus Center
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, sinus problems such as sinusitis can cause a persistent cough. When the sinuses are infected or inflamed, mucous or pus can drip down the back of the throat, triggering a cough. This condition is often diagnosed through an ENT exam, nasal endoscopy, and sometimes a sinus CT scan.
To diagnose sinus-related causes of a persistent cough, an ENT examination including nasal endoscopy is commonly performed. Additionally, a sinus CT scan may be used to evaluate the sinuses in detail. These tests help identify inflammation or infection that may be causing post-nasal drip and cough.
Acid reflux can cause a persistent dry cough by allowing stomach acid to reach the throat and irritate the vocal cords. This irritation triggers a cough reflex. Diagnosis can involve a medical examination and 24-hour pH testing to assess acid exposure in the throat.
Neurogenic cough is a persistent cough caused by irritation or dysfunction of the nerves supplying the voice box. It is often dry and persistent and can sometimes be mistaken for other causes like sinus or reflux-related coughs. Accurate diagnosis is important for effective treatment.
Yes, pertussis or whooping cough can cause a persistent cough in adults, even those who were vaccinated as children. This infection is becoming more commonly seen in adults and should be considered as a possible diagnosis in chronic cough cases.
Yes, specialists at sinus centers like the NY Sinus Center are experienced in evaluating and treating persistent coughs from multiple causes including sinusitis, acid reflux, neurogenic cough, and pertussis. They conduct thorough evaluations to identify the correct cause and provide targeted treatment.
