From the Journals

Chronic Cough Despite Normal Workup

Researchers describe diagnostic evaluation and management considerations when standard testing fails to identify the cause of persistent cough.

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A middle-aged woman experienced a persistent dry cough for three months, unresponsive to treatments and with normal chest imaging and pulmonary function tests. Despite these results, her cough worsened, disrupting daily life. Evaluations revealed marked laryngeal hypersensitivity, leading to a diagnosis of cough-predominant laryngeal hypersensitivity syndrome, a sensory disorder characterized by heightened cough reflex responsiveness. Management included a multidisciplinary approach focusing on education and behavioral techniques. Muhammad Ammar Iqbal from the University Hospital Limerick emphasizes the need for awareness of this syndrome in cases of unexplained chronic cough.

Original Source(s)

Chronic Cough Despite Normal Workup

Researchers describe diagnostic evaluation and management considerations when standard testing fails to identify the cause of persistent cough.

  • by Kathryn Wighton

  • February 13, 2026

  • 2 min

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