Do you have cough variant asthma?
In some people, the only asthma symptom present is a dry cough. Other common
symptoms like wheezing, labored breathing, chest constriction, etc may not be
present. This kind of asthma, termed cough variant asthma, frequently goes
undiagnosed for a period of time because the patient has no other reason to
suspect the presence of the disease.
The cough itself may be a dry, non-productive cough. The term non-productive here means that the coughing does not bring up phlegm or other substances. However, in many patients, coughing brings up sticky mucus; such coughs are also symptomatic of asthma.
A cough is basically a reflex action. It is caused when the mucosal receptors in one or more locations like the larynx, parts of the lungs, nasopharynx, trachea and ears are stimulated. When that happens, a specific cough center in the brain becomes active and it sends out appropriate messages to the diaphragm and other muscles to produce a cough.
Cough provocation
Many things can provoke a cough. The presence of foreign bodies in the nose or even wax in the ear can stimulate a cough. So can breathing in smoke or dust particles. Bronchospasms can produce coughs, as can lung infections and allergic reactions.
A cough that lasts less than a month is classified as an acute cough. It may be the result of an inflammation. Coughs that last over a month are termed chronic coughs. Chronic coughs can subside after a period of time only to reappear many times.
It is essential to see a doctor if a person has a severe cough or if the cough does not go away even if it's not severe. This is particularly true of asthma patients who previously did not have cough as an asthma symptom, but do now. In all cases, it is necessary to identify the true cause of the cough - and it may have nothing to do with asthma.
In persons with cough variant asthma, the coughing often persists throughout the day and night. It is usually very dry. It often has a tendency to get worse during or after exercise and if the patient exposes himself to cold air.
Cough variant asthma tends to run in families - so one of the first things a doctor will look for is the family history, if he suspects this type of asthma.
It is the asthma that must be treated and not just the cough. Very often, people consume cough syrups to try to get rid of the symptom. While this might provide temporary relief, it will obfuscate the asthma symptom. The doctor will have a tougher time unearthing the real cause of the cough - and that can be dangerous.
The onset of coughing may also be a sign that the person's asthma problem is deteriorating. Therefore it is doubly important to consult a doctor. In such cases, the right treatment is critical; otherwise the disease can worsen. With appropriate medication, many patients with cough variant asthma can bring the disease under control.