Reasons Why Your Cough May Not Be Improving

1. Underlying medical condition

- allergies, asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, heart failure, GERD, postnasal drip, sinusitis, etc.

2. Smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke

- irritates the airways and can cause inflammation, making it difficult to clear mucus and phlegm.

3. Not drinking enough fluids

- fluids help to loosen mucus and keep the throat lubricated, making it easier to cough up phlegm.

4. Using the wrong cough medicine

- some cough medicines can suppress the cough reflex, making it harder to clear mucus and phlegm. Others may cause side effects that worsen the cough.

5. Not getting enough rest

- rest is essential for the body to heal itself. When you're tired, your immune system is weaker and you're more likely to develop a cough that lasts longer.

6. Poor air quality

- pollutants in the air can irritate the airways and cause inflammation, making it difficult to clear mucus and phlegm.

7. Stress

- stress can worsen a cough by causing the muscles in the throat and chest to tense up, making it harder to breathe and clear mucus.

8. Certain medications

- ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, etc. can cause a cough as a side effect.

9. Habitual coughing

- some people develop a habit of coughing even after the underlying cause of the cough has resolved.

10. Ignoring the symptoms

- it's important to see your doctor if your cough doesn't improve after 2 weeks or if it's accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, chest pain, shortness of breath, or blood in the sputum.