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Diagnosing Asthma: How to know if Your Cough is Asthma

More than 20 million people in the United States suffer from asthma. If you are one of those who have asthma, the first symptom that you might experience is a persistent nighttime cough that you cannot seem to quiet. Of course, that cough could very well be a sign of another respiratory disorder as well. So how do you tell the difference? The answer will probably require a trip to your doctor for a further evaluation to determine whether your cough is indeed caused by asthma.

Different Types of Coughs

There are two types of nighttime coughs: the dry hacking cough that is non-productive or the productive cough that brings mucous up with it. Experts generally agree that a productive cough is probably the result of a cold or other illness, and not an asthma cough.

When a cough lingers after an illness, it can last for up to a week or two. If it lasts beyond that time period, a call to your doctor is a good idea to ensure that you do not have another more serious kind of respiratory disorder. Productive coughs are usually best treated with a medicine containing an expectorant that will help bring up and out the congestion that is causing the coughing.

An asthma cough, on the other hand, is usually a dry, non-productive cough. Once it is triggered, it can continue without stopping until the sufferer is out of breath or gagging. Sometimes you can hear a wheeze at the end of the cough. Most doctors believe that an asthma cough is the result of irritated and swollen airways. The muscles around the bronchial tube try to force the source of irritation out of the airways, and the result is spasms of the muscles that lead to the coughing fits.

Treatment for these asthma coughs can include a bronchodilator to help relax those muscles that are tightening. Another treatment for asthma coughs is a daily dose of steroids that is usually taken through an inhaler. This can act as a preventative measure to prevent symptoms like the asthma cough by keeping the swelling down in the bronchial passages.

You can also try some natural remedies with your medications, such as a cup of hot tea with honey before bed to soothe your throat. Keep pets out of your room at night while you are sleeping, and dust and vacuum regularly to keep dust mites at bay. Avoiding the irritants that tend to trigger your asthma cough is also an effective means of preventing your symptoms.