|Articles|January 1, 2007

Chronic Cough-the Whole Ball of Wax

When you are not certain about theorigin of a patient’s chronic cough,check the ears for cerumen impaction.

When you are not certain about theorigin of a patient's chronic cough,check the ears for cerumen impaction.Although postnasal drip,asthma, and gastroesophageal refluxdisease are more common causes,cerumen impaction can activate thecough reflex through stimulation ofArnold's nerve. Removal of impactedwax may resolve the cough and eliminatethe need for radiographs orblood work.
-- Ali Ahmadizadeh, MD
Hoboken, NJ

Enhance your clinical practice with the Patient Care newsletter, offering the latest evidence-based guidelines, diagnostic insights, and treatment strategies for primary care physicians.

Subscribe Now!

Chronic Cough-the Whole Ball of Wax

Newsletter

Related Content

FDA Approves GSK's Depimokimab for Severe Asthma with Th2 Inflammation, First Ultra-Long Acting Biologic

Kymera's Oral STAT6 Degrader KT-621 Shows Biologic-Like Activity in Early Atopic Dermatitis Trial

Treg-Targeting Rezpegaldesleukin Demonstrates Dual Benefit for Asthma and Atopic Dermatitis

Tezepelumab Achieves Dual Benefit in Severe Asthma, Improving Control with Reduced Steroid Dependence

Differential Diagnosis: Distinguishing UACS from Asthma and GERD

Latest CME

From Frontline to Heavily Pretreated HR+/HER2- Metastatic Breast Cancer: Expert Perspectives on Optimizing the Expanding Treatment Armamentarium

Community Oncology Connections™: Optimizing SCLC Treatment Strategies and Managing Adverse Events Across Disease Stages | Minnesota

Personalized Management in NSCLC: Strategies for Early Detection, Molecular Testing, and Targeted Therapies | Arizona

2nd Annual Hawaii Cancer Conference

Advancements in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: Treatment Strategies, Mechanisms, and Patient Management

Burst CME™: Stepping Up Care for Patients With PAH

Mastering Advances in Managing Unresectable and Metastatic NSCLC—Immunotherapy, Targeted Therapies, and Emerging Strategies

Expert Illustrations & Commentaries™: Exploring Novel Therapeutic Targets in Acne Management

A New Era in NMOSD Treatment: Optimizing Therapeutic Transitions and Reducing Patient Burden

Updates and Innovations in Nonopioid Pain Management Strategies for Breast Cancer Patients Postsurgical Intervention

20th Annual Controversies in Modern Eye Care

(COPE Track) Clinical Consultations™: Framing a New Approach to Geographic Atrophy Management – Expert Insights into Recent Developments

Addressing Unmet Needs in HER2+ Metastatic BTC

The Role of the Multidisciplinary Care Team in the Diagnosis and Management of Acute Hepatic Porphyria

Cases & Conversations™: Expert Perspectives on Leveraging Recent Advances to Transform SCLC Treatment

(CME Track) Rapid Reviews in Retina™: Emerging Updates from Winter 2025 – Addressing the Wealth of New Data in Treatments for nAMD and DME

Shaping Surgical Pathways: Revolutionizing Breast Cancer Care With Genetic Testing and Targeted Treatment

Community Practice Connections™: Exploring Emerging Next-Generation Endocrine Therapies in ER+/HER2- Breast Cancer – Evaluating the Potential of Future of Treatment

Community Practice Connections™: Optimizing Treatment Outcomes and Preserving Fertility in Premenopausal HR+ Breast Cancer

Community Practice Connections™: Tailored Treatment Approaches for Older Patients With Advanced HR+/HER2– Breast Cancer

(CME Track) Collaborative Community Connections™: Mastering the Management of nAMD and DME Through Therapeutic Innovation

From Bench to Bedside: Paradigm Shifts in HER2+ Metastatic BTC Treatment

Collaborative Care Symposium

(COPE Track) Neurotrophic Keratitis: Multidisciplinary Approaches to Enhance Patient Outcomes

Show Me Your Care Plan!™ Insights for Oncology Nurses: Integrating Recent Developments to Improve Outcomes for Patients With Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer

Immune Therapies in Practice in 2026: Cellular Therapies, ADCs, Bispecifics and Beyond

Cases and Conversations™: A Horizon View of Continuous Monitoring Systems for Diabetes Management

Expert Illustrations and Commentaries™: Managing Hyperphosphatemia in CKD—A Closer Look at the Paracellular Pathway

(COPE Track) The Neural Network: Exploring The Role of Neuromodulation in Dry Eye Disease Management

(CME Track) Toric IOLs Unleashed: From Technological Progress to Patient Success

Show Me Your Care Plan!™ Insights for Oncology Nurses: Integrating Recent Developments to Improve Outcomes for Patients with Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer

Cases and Conversations™: Improving Identification and Management of Patients with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH)

(CME Track) Clinical Case Connections: Expert Insights on Applying Therapeutic Innovations in nAMD

(COPE Track) Toric IOLs Unleashed: From Technological Progress to Patient Success

Community Practice Connections™: 18th Annual New York GU Cancer Congress™

A Case-Guided Discussion on Managing Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)

Expert Illustrations & Commentaries™: Visualizing the Role of the Complement Pathway in Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria

SimulatEd™ in Hypercortisolism and Type 2 Diabetes: Identifying Patients with Hypercortisolism

(COPE Track) Small Mites, Big Impact: Revolutionizing Demodex Blepharitis Care

(CME Credit) Advancing Outcomes in Limited-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer: From Evidence to Practice

25th Annual International Congress on the Future of Breast Cancer® East

Southern California Psychiatry Conference

27th Annual International Lung Cancer Congress®

EyeCon 2026

Southern Florida Psychiatry Conference

Mastering Epithelioid Sarcoma: Enhancing Diagnostic Precision and Tailoring Treatment Strategies

Clinical Showcase™: Selecting the Best Next Steps for a Patient with Epithelioid Sarcoma

Medical Crossfire®: Bridging Evidence to Practice in AML…Updates on FLT3, IDH1/2, Maintenance, Combos, and Clinical Trials

Medical Crossfire®: Navigating Chronic GVHD Prophylaxis and Treatment – Targeted Strategies to Elevate Patient Outcomes

Managing Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia: Can Prescription Digital Therapeutics Make an Impact?

Huntington Beach Symposia

Striking the Right Nerve: Managing Cancer Associated LEMS in Lung Cancer Patients

Show Me the Data™: Bridging Clinical Gaps Along the Continuum From Resectable, Early Stage to Advanced Gastric/Gastroesophageal Junction Cancers

Community Practice Connections™: Incorporating Recent Updates in the Treatment of Metastatic ALK-Positive NSCLC

(CME Track) Expanding Horizons in Toric IOLs: Translating Technological Advances Into Improved Patient Outcomes

Practical Approaches to Modern Dry Eye Treatment and Management

(CME Credit) Time Matters in GA: The Impact of Early Detection and Proactive Treatment Approaches

(CME Track) The TED Perspective: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Thyroid Eye Care

(CME Track) Revolutionizing nAMD and DME Management: Collaborative Strategies in the Age of Durable Treatments

(COPE Track) The Neural Frontier: Mapping Neurostimulation Across the DED Patient Spectrum for Refractive Surgery

(CME Track) Visionary Approaches: Rethinking Therapeutic and Interventional Glaucoma Management

Burst CME: Targeted Therapy for Optimal Psoriasis Management

(COPE Track) The TED Perspective: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Thyroid Eye Care

(CME Track) Patient-Centered Treatment Strategies in the Management of nAMD and DME

(COPE Track) Visionary Approaches: Rethinking Therapeutic and Interventional Glaucoma Management

Cases and Conversations™: Redefining Treatment Pathways in Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer

44th Annual CFS®: Innovative Cancer Therapy for Tomorrow™

Community Practice Connections™: Optimizing SCLC Treatment Strategies and Managing Adverse Events Across Disease Stages

MacTel Decoded: Rethinking Conventional Approaches With Novel Neuroprotective Strategies

Evolving Treatment Paradigms for Patients With Hemoglobinopathies

Burst CME™: The Role of HER2 in NSCLC and Implications for Emerging Treatment Strategies