| ugh variant asthma, the usual set of asthma | | | | chest. There is also no gunk being produced inside of |
| symptoms don't apply. Other asthma types all have | | | | the airways. The only symptom is the very |
| similar symptoms, but cough variant asthma doesn't | | | | persistent cough. |
| follow the standard rules. | | | | Asthma Triggers |
| Cough Variant Asthma Is Different | | | | If you have cough variant asthma, the causes of |
| With most types of asthma there are four major | | | | your asthma (or triggers) responsible for your chronic |
| symptoms that usually show up as listed below: | | | | cough are similar to the causes for other types of |
| 1. Coughing - this is usually what is called a wet cough | | | | asthma. No matter what type of asthma you have, |
| because gunk (or mucus) is present when you cough. | | | | you will also have your own personal list of things |
| 2. Wheezing - usually when you breathe out | | | | that your airways really hate. |
| 3. Tightness in the chest | | | | If you come in contact with or do any of those |
| 4. Shortness of breath | | | | things on your list, your airways will get really irritated. |
| But cough variant asthma is different. Instead of the | | | | In the case of cough variant asthma, the result will |
| usual four symptoms, coughing is the only symptom. | | | | be your chronic cough. The following things are a |
| And instead of the usual asthma cough, this cough is | | | | partial list of possible asthma triggers that might be |
| a very dry cough with no mucus coming out. This | | | | what irritates your airways: |
| cough can also last for a long time, perhaps for many | | | | 1. Smoke - all types |
| weeks. It can also be a loud cough, what is called a | | | | 2. Allergens - like grass or pollen, etc |
| barking cough. This type of asthma is often | | | | 3. Aerosol sprays - like hair spray or deodorants, etc |
| misdiagnosed because there are no other typical | | | | 4. Stress - or other strong emotions |
| asthma symptoms. | | | | 5. Specific foods - could pretty much be anything |
| What is Asthma | | | | 6. Dust mites - in your bedding, carpets, etc |
| Having cough variant asthma or any type of asthma | | | | 7. Pet dander - all pets give off dander |
| means that the airways or breathing tubes going to | | | | 8. Mold - both indoor and outdoor |
| your lungs are very sensitive to specific things. The | | | | 9. Different types of air pollution |
| name given to these things is your asthma triggers. | | | | 10. Weather - could be certain types of weather or |
| Coming into contact with any of these things really | | | | changes in the weather |
| gets your airways upset. And when your airways get | | | | 11. Cockroach droppings |
| upset, there is a very predictable list of things that | | | | 12. and the list goes on |
| usually happen. | | | | Any of the things on the above list could could be |
| 1. There is swelling on the inside of your airways | | | | the cause of your cough variant asthma. In fact, you |
| which makes them smaller. | | | | could have any number of those things on your list. |
| 2. The muscles on the outside of your airways try to | | | | Your asthma cause might not even be on this list. |
| squeeze the airways shut, making them even smaller. | | | | Everybody has their own list and the way that you |
| 3. Mucus, or what I prefer to call gunk, is formed on | | | | are affected by something on the list will be different |
| the insides of your airways. | | | | from the way that it affects somebody else. Having |
| With cough variant asthma, your airways do get | | | | cough variant asthma will see some people get |
| irritated but not with the same results. They don't | | | | irritated airways a lot more often than others. |
| become so small so that you have trouble breathing. | | | | Asthma is a very serious condition and the number |
| The muscles around the airways don't appear to | | | | of people that have it is actually going up despite the |
| tighten up so you don't feel the tightness in the | | | | billions being spent on prescription medications. |