Episode # 221 • 06 May 2025
Chronic Cough: An Allergist’s Perspective
How can you treat a chronic cough when you’re not sure what’s causing it? In this episode of BackTable ENT, Dr. Basil Kahwash, a board-certified allergist and immunologist from Ohio ENT and Allergy, discusses the complexities of diagnosing and treating chronic cough.
Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction
03:20 - Defining Chronic Cough
06:47 - Patient Evaluation and Key Questions
11:10 - Asthma vs. Allergic Rhinitis Cough
18:31 - Red Flags in Chronic Cough
30:20 - Diagnostic Testing for Chronic Cough
34:46 - ENT Collaboration in Allergy
36:08 - Skin Testing vs. Blood Testing for Allergies
44:30 - Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EOE) & Upper Airway Cough Syndrome
50:28 - Allergy Treatment Pathways
01:03:05 - Conclusion and Contact Information
Resources
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More about this episode
Dr. Kahwash explains common causes, such as upper airway cough syndrome, allergic rhinitis, and asthma, and delves into the importance of patient history and physical exams in identifying the root cause. The conversation also covers diagnostic tools, including allergy testing, spirometry, and chest X-rays, as well as treatment options like allergy medication, immunotherapy, and cough suppressants. Dr. Kahwash also touches upon new therapies on the horizon and emphasizes the role of multidisciplinary collaboration with ENTs, pulmonologists, GI specialists, and speech therapists in managing chronic cough.
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