Diagnosing Asthma: Knowing if Your Cough is Asthma

The United States of America in itself hosts more than twenty million people suffering from asthma. If you’re asthmatic, the primary and foremost symptom that you will experience is persistent coughing especially in the night. It is of course also possible that the cough is a sign of any another respiratory disorder or disease. It is therefore important to immediately see your doctor to confirm your condition. He/she will be able to determine if your fits of coughing are in truth caused because of asthma.

The Various Types of Coughs

Night time coughs are basically classified into two: the non-productive, dry hacking cough and the productive cough resulting in the production of mucous along with it. It is generally agreed upon by experts that productive coughs are more likely the result of an illness or a cold and usually not because a patient is asthmatic.

Coughs can also linger after an illness, lasting for upto two week. Beyond that time, a lasting cough requires a visit to your doctor in order to check other respiratory disorders. These productive coughs are most effectively treated with a substance containing an ‘expectorant’ that helps in the release the congestion in your lungs.

An asthma cough, however, is usually dry and non-productive and occurs in fits that once triggered can continue without stopping until the sufferer is out of breath or sometimes even choking. Bouts of wheezing following these coughs are also extremely common. A generally accepted viewpoint amongst doctors is that asthma is the caused by irritated and inflamed bronchial passages. The muscles surrounding the bronchial tube attempt to force the irritants out and this spasm of the muscles leads to the coughing fits.

The simplest treatment given to an asthma patient is a bronchodilator that works by relaxing the constricting muscles. An everyday dose of steroids is also taken through an inhale which reduces the inflammation in the airways.

Natural remedies can also work wonders, for instance a cup of warm tea with honey before you sleep will greatly soothe your throat. Keeping pets out of the room at night, regular dusting and vacuuming in order to keep dust mites away can also be of great help. The best effective preventive method to keep your asthma cough at bay is to stay away from the substances that you know trigger it.