Why does an asthmatic cough a lot

If any of the following symptoms develop, people should see a doctor sooner to rule out other conditions:. Since people with CVA often have normal results in a chest X-ray or spirometry test, a doctor may carry out a methacholine challenge.

When a person with asthma inhales methacholine, it triggers coughing and bronchial spasms. A person with asthma will be more sensitive to methacholine than most people causing lung function to drop during the test. If a doctor strongly suspects CVA, they may skip the methacholine test and prescribe asthma treatments to see if improvement occurs.

If cough symptoms improve with use of the asthma medications, but no other signs or symptoms of classic asthma are present, the provider will likely diagnose CVA. The treatments for CVA are the same as the treatments for classic asthma. The right treatments vary from one individual to another. They can include a combination of:. CVA can progress to classic asthma in some cases, and uncontrolled asthma can be fatal. Most people who develop asthma can lead a normal, active live if they control their condition and follow their treatment plan.

If a person has severe asthma and does not manage it, they are more likely to have long-term consequences. Coughing is the fast expulsion of air from the lungs when the vocal chords are open, which gives a cough its characteristic sound. Find out here about…. Asthma can kill individuals with mild symptoms - even those who do not routinely take medication.

Find out why experts say it's time for a rethink. People will usually notice symptoms are worse at night or first thing in the morning. People may also notice their asthma symptoms are especially bad after they have experienced certain triggers, such as cigarette smoke, exercise, or pollen.

People with asthma can also have acute bronchitis. They may notice their asthma symptoms become worse as a consequence. They may experience:. Sometimes, people with severe bronchitis and asthma may have to go to the hospital because mucus has clogged the airways into their lungs so much. Doctors can use a spirometry test to diagnose asthma.

Spirometry involves a person blowing into a sensor that measures how fast and hard they are exhaling their breath. A doctor may consider asthma over bronchitis if someone has had a cough that goes away but keeps returning. An exception is when a person has chronic bronchitis, often because they smoke.

Asthma is also often unresponsive to cough medications. A doctor may also order a chest X-ray to ensure symptoms are not related to pneumonia. They may consider a further round of testing for asthma if the symptoms do not improve in 1 or 2 weeks. People coming in contact with viruses is how these germs are spread. People who also have gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD can get acute bronchitis if stomach acid refluxes up and into their airways. Doctors do not know exactly why people develop asthma.

They do know that people with a family history of asthma or allergies are more likely to have the condition. People with bronchitis should drink plenty of fluids. A person should instead engage in actions and behaviors that will support their immune system and give it time to fight off the virus.

A doctor may sometimes prescribe an inhaler with a medication designed to help the airways open more if a person is experiencing significant wheezing related to their bronchitis. Alternative treatments may help an asthmatic cough, but they are complementary treatments.

Never use alternative treatments in a medical emergency or stop prescription medications for homeopathic medicine. Ask your doctor if the following options may help your asthma cough:. What are alternative treatments for asthma?

Aside from treatment, you can help decrease the incidence of asthma cough with a few lifestyle changes. For example, placing a humidifier in your room can help ease night coughs. You may also have to limit outdoor activities if the air quality is poor. An important prevention tool is to identify your asthma triggers. You should avoid irritants and triggers that can worsen your cough. These may include:. If allergies make your asthma worse, you may also need to prevent and treat allergen exposure before your asthma symptoms get better.

Shop for humidifiers. What do you want to know about smoking cessation? Treating asthma symptoms like cough is also important in preventing lung damage, especially in children. With proper management, your cough should eventually ease. Be sure to call your doctor if your asthmatic cough continues despite treatment. The best natural cough remedies ». You may receive prednisone if you have an acute asthma attack.

Is stress a trigger for asthma? Find out what causes nocturnal asthma symptoms, and what you can do to lessen them for you or your child. Common Asthma Cough Triggers Coughing from asthma can occur after exercise, after exposure to specific triggers, after laughing, and often at night.

Common triggers include: Outdoor allergens, such as pollens from grass, trees and weeds Indoor allergens, such as pet dander , dust mites and mold Certain drugs or food additives Irritants in the air, such as smoke, air pollution and chemical fumes, or strong odors, such as perfume Colds, the flu or other illnesses Exercise although people with asthma benefit from exercise; if asthma prevents you from exercising then you should talk to your doctor Stress Weather conditions, such as cold air, heat and humidity, or rapidly changing weather patterns For more information, visit the Asthma page.

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