A board-certified family medicine doctor has gone viral after revealing three lesser-known causes of persistent cough that antibiotics and x-rays won’t fix — and he insists it’s not a medical mystery or a conspiracy.
Dr. Sooj, who has over 237,000 TikTok followers and more than 6 million likes, shared in a recent video: “I have seen so many people with a chronic cough recently, so here are the three reasons that somebody might be coughing for weeks — or months — and antibiotics and x-rays haven’t made any difference”, told The Mirror US.
1. Are You on Blood Pressure Medication?
Dr. Sooj first pointed to a class of drugs called ACE inhibitors, commonly prescribed for high blood pressure. “Examples are ramipril, lisinopril, perindopril, captopril,” he said.
“Any of these can cause irritation to the airway, which can lead to a dry cough, and it can be chronic. This is one of the most common side effects of the medication.” He explained that this type of cough often settles within a month, but if it doesn’t, a consultation with a doctor is recommended.
2. Could It Be Asthma?
The second reason he mentioned was asthma, which may not always be obvious. “Interestingly, around one of four people with a chronic cough will have asthma,” he said.
Symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, and, of course, coughing. “Treatment is very straightforward — we just use inhalers to try and open up their airways. Sometimes tablets are added if needed.”
3. Is It Whooping Cough?
The third possibility is whooping cough, also known as pertussis — a contagious infection that affects the lungs and airways. “No, it is not a conspiracy. Doctors aren’t trying to hide it from you,” Dr. Sooj assured.
He explained that the illness has multiple phases, with the first two to three weeks resembling a standard viral infection. But in the next phase, people develop a loud “inspiratory whoop” sound between severe coughing fits, and may even vomit after coughing.
“If you are deemed to have whooping cough and you’re early in your illness, you might be given antibiotics,” he said. Otherwise, treatment is usually supportive. So if your cough won’t quit, it might be time to look beyond the usual suspects — and Dr. Sooj wants you to know the real answers are out there.
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