Treating and Identifying Asthma Coughs

If you suffer from a chronic cough, you may be dealing with asthma. Several symptoms are an indicator that the chronic cough may be related to the asthma disease. It is crucial if you are experiencing a chronic cough that you make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. Left untreated, this condition can become severe and even be life-threatening.

What is a Cough?

When you cough, your body is trying to remove bacteria and foreign particles from your lungs to prevent infection. The two types of coughs are known as productive and nonproductive. When a cough is nonproductive, nothing will come up from the cough. A productive cough will have phlegm. This phlegm will allow the lungs to get rid of any bacteria and foreign substances.

People who have asthma will cough because it is one of the body’s natural defense mechanisms. However, often the cough is unproductive with asthma. Swelling and constriction of the airways does not allow for the mucus to be removed from the lungs. This is a hallmark sign of asthma. A wheezing sound may also accompany asthma. A restricted airway causes the wheezing sound.

Symptoms of an Asthma Cough

Cough is one of the most common signs of asthma. For some people, it is the only symptom of asthma. When you are trying to figure out whether or not you have asthma, you should see if you have some of the other asthma symptoms. These asthma symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath. People will experience shortness of breath with asthma. It will feel similar to something sitting on your chest and not being able to get enough air.
• Fatigue. People living with asthma will be more tired than usual. This can come from been awakened at night to cough as well as not getting enough air.
• Night coughs. Often, people with asthma will awaken during the night with a cough. Lying down may cause a cough to get worse. In this case, you may need specialized treatment to help treat these night coughs.
• Problems exercising. People with asthma may not be able to exercise well. This is due to a lack of oxygen getting into the body. People who do exercise may find themselves having coughing fits and wheezing.
• Recurring infections. Asthma sufferers may suffer from recurring infections like upper respiratory infections. This is due to the inability of the lungs to get rid of mucus and bacteria.
• Chest tightness. Asthma sufferers may find that the chest feels tight at times. This is due to the constriction of the lungs as well as the cough.
• Wheezing. Wheezing is caused by inflammation of the airway. This is often seen after a coughing session or workout.

If you have any of the above symptoms, you will want to see a chronic cough doctor in Los Angeles as soon as possible. Seeing a doctor specializing in chronic cough will help you determine whether you have asthma or another condition. Chronic cough can also be a sign of bronchitis as well as chronic sinusitis. It is vital to figure out what is causing your cough so that it can be treated well. If you have bronchitis, you will need to work with your bronchitis specialist in Los Angeles to see treatment options. Some of the treatment options for bronchitis will be the same for asthma. If you have chronic sinusitis, you will need to see a chronic sinusitis specialist that can help you address the chronic cough.

Traditional Treatment Options for Asthma

When you go to your head and neck doctors in Los Angeles, they will be able to determine the treatment options to help treat your asthma. One of the most common treatment options is inhaled corticosteroids. These will help to reduce inflammation, which will, in turn, help reduce the cough. Quick inhalers are an excellent option for immediate relief. They are typically usually once or twice a week, especially during exercise or if you are sick. If you find yourself relying more on your quick-relief inhaler, call your head and neck doctor to determine whether or not another treatment option is needed. They may prescribe a long-term oral medication that will help to relieve your cough.

Alternative Treatment Options for Asthma Cough

Your Los Angeles chronic cough doctor may recommend several different alternative treatments to help treat your asthma. You will not want to stop your prescribed medication or seek out alternative treatment during a medical emergency. However, these complementary treatments may help to alleviate some of the symptoms related to asthma cough. These treatment options include:

• Acupuncture
• Herbs
• Meditation
• Yoga breathing
• Hypnosis

These natural treatment options may also help if you suffer from bronchitis or chronic sinusitis. Speak with your Los Angeles bronchitis specialist or your Los Angeles chronic sinusitis specialist to see if these natural treatments will help your condition.

Prevention of Asthma cough

With a few lifestyle changes, you can reduce the chances of asthma cough. Avoiding your asthma triggers will help you not to cough. Here are some things that you should do to prevent the cough:

• Humidifier. Using a humidifier in the room when you sleep can help keep your lungs moist and not irritated.
• Cigarette smoke. You will want to make sure you stay away from cigarette smoke as it can be a trigger for asthma cough.
• Weather changes. Weather changes can exasperate your asthma cough. For example, frigid air can irritate your lungs, which may make your cough worse.
• Mold. Mold can significantly exacerbate the symptoms of asthma cough. Ensure that you are not around any mold, and if you have been exposed to mold, see your doctor as soon as possible.
• Allergies. In some cases, your allergies will make your chronic cough worse. Work with your doctor to come up with an allergy medication that will help to relieve your symptoms.

Unfortunately, asthma is not curable. However, you can manage your symptoms so that you will be comfortable. It will take lifestyle modification along with medication to help alleviate the symptoms of an asthmatic cough. Many people can live a normal life while having asthma, and you can, too.