Asthma Cough
Asthma and cough share a close relation as one of the most common symptoms of asthma is coughing, especially at night. The cough that is particular to asthma is not necessarily the same type of wheezing that a normal cough produces. Instead, the coughing of an asthma patient has a negative effect on the home as it affects not only the sleep of the asthma patient, but also the sleep of others in the house.
It can be said that the cough is the first symptom of asthma in children. This is why it is necessary to inform the doctor of a persistent cough in children. Coughing can also be considered to be a sign that asthma is getting worse, or is not under control. Patients suffering from asthma who develop a persistent cough have to follow their prescribed asthma treatment. This treatment is usually inhalers that have medication that can relieve cough.
It should be understood that coughing is not asthma; but its symptom. This is why it is necessary to find out the cause of the cough, so that the cause can be eliminated. When an asthma patient finds some fever or sweating with the couth or cough producing discolored phlegm, it is necessary to consult the doctor. Other signs accompanying cough that has to be addressed by the doctor is sudden weight loss, recurring night time cough, shortness of breath, chest pain and a recurring cough at nights.
The treatment rendered to asthma with cough is not different from any other case of asthma having other symptoms. The usual medication is inhaled corticosteroids while inhaled beta2-agonists too prove to be helpful. Severe symptoms of asthma call for the use of oral corticosteroids as initial treatment, to be followed by the inhaled version. Of course, the doctor is the best judge in deciding on the best treatment for your case and condition. So make it a point to consult the doctor once you find you are suffering from cough and other symptoms related to asthma.
Besides bronchodilators and corticosteroids, herbal scientists have recently stated that black or green tea provides some relief against asthma cough. Honey too is said to provide some relief. However these suggestions should be followed with the traditional medical treatments for asthma cough.
It is important to get asthmatic cough treated as soon as possible in children, and should not be neglected. Asthma cough is different from conventional cough; but it is very hard to differentiate. The best person who can diagnose the type of cough you suffer from is the doctor. However, sometimes doctors too find it rather difficult to differentiate between the two.
Remember that asthma cough is usually non productive where there is no build up of mucus. There is a unique sound associated with asthma cough that is more like a dry and wheezing sound that can last for so long that the child or adult sometimes end up gasping for air. So it can be said that a persistent cough without any signs of mucus may be considered to be asthma cough while the presence of mucus may indicate the possibility of an impending cold.