Sometimes we just have a cough, right? But if this cough persists, or doesn't subside for months, we need to think about it a little. Especially if it's just a cough without any other symptoms, chest tightness, it may not be the normal cough we think it is. This is the specific type of clothing we're going to talk about today.
What is cough-variant asthma?
Simply put, this is a member of the asthma family. But it is a little different. Unlike other types of asthma, there is no wheezing, wheezing , or difficulty breathing. There is only a cough . Most of the time, this is a dry cough. But some people may have a cough with mucus. The most important thing is that when you use asthma medications, especially inhalers, this cough decreases. Unlike regular asthma, here the cough is the main and sometimes the only symptom.
Is cough-variant asthma dangerous?
One thing that many people are afraid of is whether this is dangerous. To be honest, this condition (Cough-Variant Asthma) can usually be well controlled with medications like inhalers . That means there is nothing to worry about. However, sometimes this can become a little severe, and later on other asthma symptoms, such as wheezing, may join. Even then, it can also be controlled. However, since sometimes a severe asthma attack can occur, it is very important to be careful about this. Therefore, it is essential to follow medical advice.
What are the symptoms of cough-variant asthma?
As we mentioned earlier, while other types of asthma have many symptoms, such as difficulty breathing and wheezing , the only symptom of this (Cough-Variant Asthma) is a cough. This is often a dry, non-productive cough. However, some people may have a cough with a little mucus. The most important thing is that there are no other asthma symptoms. This cough can sometimes be worse at night, or it can be worse during exercise or exposure to cold air.
Why do we develop cough-variant asthma like this?
Okay, now let's see why this happens. The main cause of asthma is the narrowing and swelling (inflammation) of our airways, that is, the small tubes that carry air to the lungs. In normal asthma, this narrowing makes it difficult to breathe. However, in this (Cough-Variant Asthma) , what happens is that the narrowing and swelling causes coughing. Imagine, the nerve endings in our airways are stimulated by this swelling, causing coughing. This cough is not continuous. It comes and goes (episodes or attacks) . Sometimes this cough can last for hours or even days. This cough increases when something irritates our lungs.
What are the triggers for cough-variant asthma?
Anything that can trigger asthma can also trigger cough-variant asthma . That is, if you have an allergy to something, or if you inhale something that is harmful to your lungs, your cough may increase.
However, for people with asthma who only experience this cough , there are several main triggers that often increase coughing :
- Cold wind: When you suddenly go into a cold environment, for example, when you come out of an air-conditioned (AC) room.
- Weather changes: Continuous rain, or extreme dry weather, sudden changes in temperature.
- Exercise: When doing physical exercise, such as running or jumping, especially in cold, dry environments.
- Dust and smoke: Things like dusty environments, vehicle exhaust, cigarette smoke, and wood stove smoke.
- Inhaling certain perfumes or chemicals (e.g. cleaning products, paints) can also be affected.
- Respiratory tract infections: This cough may also increase with things like the flu and cold.
Who is most at risk for this condition?
We don't really know why some people get asthma and others don't. However, some people are at a slightly higher risk of developing any type of asthma, including this (Cough-Variant Asthma) . Let's see who they are?
- If one of your parents or a close relative has asthma , there may be a genetic influence.
- If you are a smoker (being around people who smoke - passive smoking - can also have an effect).
- If your Body Mass Index (BMI) is 30 or higher , it means you are obese.
- If you lived in an area with a lot of air pollution since you were a child .
- If you work in a job that involves frequent exposure to dust, chemicals, or vapors (e.g., factory workers, cleaning workers).
- Some people have allergies (e.g. dust mites, pollen).
How do doctors accurately diagnose this condition (Cough-Variant Asthma)? (Diagnosis)
To find out for sure if you have cough-variant asthma, you need to see a doctor. Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and your health history, such as whether anyone in your family has asthma . They may also do some pulmonary function tests to see how well your lungs are working.
Sometimes, your doctor will tell you to try asthma medication for a few days to see if it helps with your cough . This is called a therapeutic trial.
What kind of tests can you expect? (Tests)
There are several tests that can help your doctor understand your condition:
- Pulmonary Function Tests: These check how well your lungs are working, and how much air can be moved in and out when you breathe in and out. Spirometry is the most common test used for this. You blow air into a small tube. This can tell if there is any blockage in your airways.
- Questionnaires: Your doctor may give you a short form to fill out. It will ask you questions about how often you cough, what makes your cough worse, what makes it worse, and how much your cough interferes with your daily activities. This will help your doctor get a complete picture of your condition.
- Chest X-ray: This takes a picture of the lungs to check for other causes of the cough, such as a lung infection, pneumonia, or tuberculosis.
- Bronchoprovocation test: In this test, you are given a small amount of medicine (such as methacholine) to breathe in. This medicine can cause your airways to narrow slightly. This measures how sensitive (reactive) your airways are. People with asthma have more sensitive airways than people without asthma.
- Treatment trials: As we mentioned earlier, your doctor may give you inhaled corticosteroids or a pill like Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists for two to four weeks to see if your symptoms improve.
How is cough-variant asthma treated? (Treatment)
Cough-Variant Asthma is treated in the same way as other types of asthma. There are several main types of medications used:
- Short-acting bronchodilators: These are rescue inhalers that are used in emergencies . They open the airways quickly and provide relief when a sudden cough occurs. Examples include short-acting beta-agonists (SABAs) (e.g. Salbutamol) and short-acting muscarinic antagonists (SAMAs) .
- Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS): These are used as a maintenance inhaler every day. These medications reduce inflammation and mucus in the airways. This helps control coughing. These should be taken daily, at the dose prescribed by your doctor, for a set period of time.
- Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists: For example, a pill called Montelukast . This is a pill that is taken every day. This also helps prevent asthma symptoms, especially exercise-induced asthma.
- Long-acting bronchodilators (LABA): These also come as maintenance inhalers, but they are given in combination with an ICS (e.g. Salmeterol/Fluticasone, Formoterol/Budesonide). These also need to be used daily.
Very important: It is not recommended to use these long-acting bronchodilators (LABAs) alone to treat asthma without an ICS. Using them alone can increase the risk of serious asthma complications (even death). Therefore, it is very important to follow your doctor's instructions exactly.
How long after starting treatment will I feel relief?
Once you start using maintenance medications, such as an ICS inhaler, it can take a few weeks for your cough to subside and you to feel relief . So don't panic. It's important to use your medication correctly. However, rescue inhalers work faster. They usually provide relief within 15-20 minutes .
If I have this (Cough-Variant Asthma), what can I expect?
If you have cough-variant asthma , you can control your symptoms by avoiding triggers and using maintenance medications prescribed by your doctor .
However, about 40 percent (40%) of people with Cough-Variant Asthma may later develop other asthma symptoms (such as wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath) . Therefore, it is very important to stay in regular contact with your doctor and attend regular check-ups.
Can this condition (Cough-Variant Asthma) be prevented?
Because we don't know exactly why some people get asthma and others don't, there is no way to completely prevent it.
However, there are several things you can do to reduce the risk:
- Don't smoke. And avoid being around people who smoke.
- If you regularly have to work with dust or chemicals, wear a mask or other appropriate protective gear.
- Maintain a healthy weight . Obesity increases the risk of asthma.
- Try to control allergens such as house dust mites .
How should I take care of myself? (Self-Care)
When living with this condition, there are things you can do to manage your symptoms and reduce your risk of having a severe coughing attack :
- Identify your known triggers and stay away from them as much as possible.
- Work with your doctor to create an asthma action plan. It should include guidelines on how to treat different stages of your symptoms and when to see your doctor. Keep this with you.
- See your doctor regularly and keep him/her informed about your condition. Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms or if the medication you are taking does not seem to be working as well as it used to.
- Learn how to use your inhaler properly. Use a spacer if necessary.
When should I see a doctor?
- If you have a cough that has lasted for more than 8 weeks and you can't find a cause , be sure to see a doctor.
- If you have already been diagnosed with cough-variant asthma , tell your doctor if you start to experience new asthma symptoms, such as shortness of breath and wheezing .
- If your cough is not controlled even after using your maintenance inhaler or you need to use your rescue inhaler more often , see your doctor.
When should I go to an Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) ?
Sometimes this condition can be severe. In such cases, you should immediately go to a hospital emergency room. Symptoms of such severe conditions include:
- Severe difficulty breathing, to the point of being unable to speak.
- High heart rate (Tachycardia).
- Blue color of the skin, lips, or fingernails (cyanosis). This indicates a lack of oxygen.
- Confusion or altered mental state.
- If there is no relief after using the rescue inhaler.
What questions should I ask my doctor?
When you see your doctor, it will be very helpful for you to ask these questions:
- Can you show me step-by-step how to use an inhaler correctly? (This is very important!)
- What new symptoms should I look out for? Or what should I watch for if my current symptoms get worse?
- How exactly should I take my medication? Things like time, dosage, etc.
- What should I do if I suddenly have an attack of coughing?
- Can you help me create an asthma action plan?
- Is it a good idea to use a peak flow meter to measure my lung function?
Does Cough-Variant Asthma occur due to acid reflux in the esophagus?
Some people think that this cough is caused by acid reflux , which is a condition like gastritis. True, acid reflux can also cause a persistent cough. However, it is not confirmed that acid reflux causes cough-variant asthma . However, some people may have both conditions together. In such cases, treating the acid reflux may reduce the cough a little. However, the main treatment for cough-variant asthma is asthma medication.
Finally, things to remember
A persistent cough is a real nuisance. It can be difficult to find the cause. But in this case (Cough-Variant Asthma) , your symptoms can improve with asthma medications. By staying away from things that make you cough worse, working with your doctor to find the right medication for you, and using it properly, you can keep your cough under control. Remember, you are not alone, and it is never too late to seek medical advice. We hope this information will help you improve your quality of life.
` Cough, Asthma, Cough-Variant Asthma, Respiratory Diseases, Inhalers, Treatment, Symptoms
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