Cough variant asthma is a type of asthma that causes a dry cough and can be difficult to diagnose because it does not produce wheezing sounds. It can be treated with inhaled medications and regular doctor visits.
Cough variant asthma is a form of asthma characterized by a dry, unproductive cough. The patient does not hear the classic wheezing and wheezing sounds associated with asthma, which can be confusing for people who have been diagnosed with this condition as they may think it is not possible to have asthma without wheezing. Shortness of breath also makes diagnosing the cough variant of asthma difficult, as it cannot be diagnosed simply by listening to a patient’s lungs.
Some signs that someone has cough variant asthma include a dry cough that persists for at least six weeks, along with things like changes in color after coughing fits. Patients typically cough more at night, and the cough can become so troublesome that the patient has difficulty sleeping or is kept awake by coughing. Even the cough is not productive. The patient carries no mucus and often does not feel better after coughing, indicating that the patient is not coughing in an attempt to clear the airways.
Classic tests used to check lung function, such as spirometry and X-rays, may not reveal anything unusual about the patient, and the lungs may appear normal when listened to. Sometimes a doctor can identify the asthma variant of cough by listening to the patient’s cough and conducting a detailed interview with the patient; often, the patient history reveals important information that can be used in a diagnosis. To confirm the diagnosis, a methacholine challenge can be given. In this medical test, the patient undergoes spirometry, inhales a methacholine mist, and repeats the spirometry test. If the patient has asthma, the airways should be narrowed.
This condition can appear in people of all ages, but is particularly common among children. Cough variant asthma can also develop into classic asthma over time, with the patient becoming progressively worse and experiencing symptoms such as wheezing or asthma attacks, where the airways close completely in response to stress, allergens or other factors.
Cough variant asthma can be treated with the use of inhaled medications. Albuterol can be used to keep the airways open, and the patient can also be given inhaled steroids to reduce inflammation. If the patient does not respond to inhaled medications, oral prednisone may be given. Well-managed asthma also requires regular visits to the doctor to check lung function and adjust medications as needed. If patients don’t stick to a medication regimen or don’t get regular checkups, their asthma could get out of control and the patient could experience serious complications.
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