Asthma cough is a type of asthma wherein the main symptom is a non-productive, dry cough that does not release any mucus from the respiratory tract. Typically, people with cough-variant asthma do not have other classic asthma symptoms like shortness of breath or wheezing. The coughing with asthma might occur at night or during the day. However, people with nighttime asthma and asthma cough might have disturbed sleep, and may notice that coughing worsens with exercise.
Symptoms
Cough is the most common symptom of asthma. In some people, a cough is sometimes the only noticeable symptom of the condition. It is best to get it examined to check if the cough is because of asthma or any other health condition. Some other symptoms of asthma are:
Wheezing
Shortness of breath
Chest tightness
Problems exercising
Disturbed sleep due to night cough
Fatigue
Prolonged infections and illnesses
A cough with asthma can be troublesome, especially at night. Consequently, getting a good night’s sleep becomes tricky. It might demand special treatment. Typically, night coughs are associated with asthma, breathing concerns like emphysema, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Causes
Sadly, there is no clarity on the precise causes of asthma cough, but it typically occurs with the triggers listed below:
Changes in the weather
Exercise
Using some treatment options
Having an upper respiratory infection or cold
Exposure to irritants or allergens
If a person starts coughing after taking prescription treatments used to treat conditions such as high blood pressure, migraines, and heart disease, it could be an indication of asthma cough. Eye drops that treat conditions like glaucoma can also trigger asthma symptoms such as coughing. In addition, certain allergies can also lead to asthma.
Risk factors
Beyond the above-listed causes, the asthma cough risk is higher in some people. A few risk factors that add to the threat are:
Having a coexisting allergic condition, like eczema
Having a history of asthma
Having a family member with asthma
Having exposure to environmental or occupational irritants
Understanding and consulting a doctor about these risk factors can play a significant role in timely diagnosis and treatment.
Diagnosis
A doctor will conduct a physical examination before suggesting a treatment for asthma cough. They may even order some breathing tests to evaluate a person’s lung function. One may have to undergo these tests periodically to assess the effectiveness of any ongoing treatments. Typically, the diagnostic tools work best in people five or older. When doctors suspect that allergens may trigger the asthma cough, they may order allergy testing for diagnosis. Sometimes, the healthcare professional may prescribe extra tests to check a person’s response to an asthma diagnosis.
Treatment options
Primarily, the goal of treatment is to avoid complications from developing. Generally, the treatment options for classic asthma and asthma cough are the same. But the prescribed treatments may vary from one individual to another.
Typically, the treatment options may include one or a combination of the following:
Inhalers: These prescription treatments can be inhaled to relieve and prevent airway swelling.
Rescue inhalers: These are used as rescue treatments to reduce inflammation during an asthma attack.
Combination inhalers: These contain both preventive and fast-responding prescription products.
Prescription treatments: This treatment option blocks the activation of certain parts of the immune system components. A doctor may also prescribe certain treatment options to manage allergies that could trigger asthma.
Effective asthma cough treatment does not allow the symptoms to flare up. Further, anyone who opts for treatment options to avoid asthma symptoms must adhere to their healthcare professional’s recommendations to avoid future episodes and prevent asthma cough from aggravating.
Alternative treatment options
Alternative treatments might also help with asthma cough. However, these are complementary options and should not be considered a replacement for doctor-prescribed treatments. Further, these alternative treatments must not be applied in a medical emergency. One can consult a healthcare professional if one wishes to try any of the below-listed alternative treatment options to alleviate asthma cough symptoms:
Pranayama, or yoga
Meditation
Herbs like ginkgo or dried ivy
Acupuncture
Asthma cough prevention
Apart from undergoing treatment for asthma cough, one can take preventative measures to reduce the risk of asthma flare-ups. Taking certain steps, like placing a humidifier in the room, can reduce the episodes of asthma cough at night. A person with asthma must also try and limit outdoor activities if the air quality is poor. It is important to identify asthma triggers and try to stay away from them. One must avoid places with:
Cold air
Chemicals and cleaners
Dust
Low humidity
Pollen
Pet dander
Viral infections