Types of Asthma-Related Coughs

 

Asthma coughs can vary depending on the type of asthma your child has:

●     Cough-Variant Asthma
 In this form of asthma, the cough is the primary symptom. There may be no wheezing or obvious shortness of breath, making it more difficult to recognize. This is especially common in children.

●     Exercise-Induced Asthma
 Coughing typically begins during or after physical activity. It’s often accompanied by chest tightness or wheezing.

●     Nocturnal Asthma
 Coughing episodes happen at night and can disrupt sleep. This can be a key indicator that asthma is not well-controlled.

What It Doesn’t Sound Like

It’s also helpful to understand what an asthma cough typically doesn’t sound like:

●     Barking or harsh coughs are more indicative of croup.

●     Whooping cough involves violent fits followed by a "whooping" sound during inhalation.

●     Wet or gurgling coughs are more likely to be caused by a cold, flu, or bronchitis.

When to Be Concerned

If your child’s cough:

●     Lasts longer than 3 weeks

●     Disrupts sleep regularly

●     Worsens with activity or cold air

●     Doesn’t improve with cold medications

 …it may be time to consider asthma as the underlying cause.

The American Lung Association notes that a recurring cough—especially at night—is one of the most common early signs of asthma in children. Proper diagnosis can lead to highly effective management, often significantly improving your child’s quality of life.

Getting a Proper Diagnosis

If you suspect your child may have asthma, schedule an evaluation with a pediatric pulmonologist or asthma specialist. At Dr. Mayank Shukla’s New York City office, we use advanced diagnostic tools such as spirometry and peak flow measurements to assess lung function and confirm an asthma diagnosis.

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