When Is Asthma Coughing Asthma Related?

It's an amazing statistic but a chronic cough is the only symptom in many asthma sufferers, in fact, it's as high as one in two. If the coughing has been persisting for up to three weeks then medical opinion should be sought.

Asthma Or A Cough?

Asthma coughing is not suspected by many sufferers initially simply because the symptom could be associated with any number of other conditions. However, persistent and chronic night time cough should not be ignored and you should seek your doctor's opinion straight away.

Tell Tale Signs

Asthma coughing can only be diagnosed by a doctor or specialist but one of the tell tale signs is if it does not respond to traditional coughing treatments. With persistent irritation most people would be heading down to their local pharmacy and stocking up on suppressants or in some cases, being prescribed antibiotics. However, if there is no improvement following this treatment then your doctor is in a stronger position to diagnose asthma.

If the cough begins to respond to asthma treatment then further action can be taken. Determiming if the coughing is asthma related, your doctor will will attempt to isolate at what times you seem to cough the most. Times such as following exercise, at night, during cold weather and even laughing are good indicators asthma may be at play.

Asthma Variant Cough Facts

Wheezing is associated with this type of cough and it's described as non productive, meaning it doesn't produce wheezing. It's an irritating experience in the fact it has an almost hollow sound and the irritation in the throat seems unmovable. If the cough goes unchecked, shortness of breathe or even episodes of vomit can occur.

Children

In children, the episodes will be frequent and parents should keep a check on when the coughing is at it's worst. Isolating these times is valuable information for your doctor. It may occur most when the child is at play or during the night. You also want to check the child's breathing and look for rapid breathing. If the cough is breaking up normal sleep habits or it's so pronounced that it wakes the child, then your doctor will need to know.

Treatment Methods

Effective treatment for asthma coughing includes bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids. Loosening up the bronchial tube muscles which are blocking clear air passage is the aim of a bronchodilator and once the spasms subside, the coughing will lighten off.

Natural remedies have been suggested as a short term solution to asthma cough such as black or green tea. Even honey to soothe irritation in the throat could be effective.

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