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Cough Variant Asthma

12/03/1999

Question:

Please explain cough variant asthma. On average, does it get worse over time? How is it treated? If not treated will it get worse or stay the same?

Answer:

Cough variant asthma refers to asthma that presents as a chronic cough. Typically, lung function is normal or mildly impaired but does not improve after bronchodilator medication. The diagnosis is made by performing a test called methacholine challenge. If treated properly, the prognosis is excellent. One should differentiate cough from asthma verses cough from post-nasal drainage and/or gastroesophageal reflux in addition to many other chest or cardiac problems. Sometimes the cough is caused by more than one problem. Anyone who suspects that they have asthma, including the cough-variant type, should be seen by an experienced allergist or pulmonologist for evaluation and treatment of this problem.

For more information:

Go to the Asthma health topic.