Coughing in the spring? Beware of "asthma without wheezing"

As spring approaches, the number of patients admitted to respiratory departments in hospitals has increased. Experts warn people to be alert to a type of "asthma without wheezing."

Symptoms are similar to those of a cold and are easily ignored by patients

At the Respiratory Department of Peking University People's Hospital, experts said that there is a small peak in outpatient volume in March every year, a large part of which is "cough variant asthma" caused by spring allergies.

Ma Yanliang, chief physician of the respiratory department of Peking University People's Hospital: When we talk about asthma, we think of wheezing and panting, but in fact many patients do not have any panting at all, but just have recurrent coughing. Experts say that "cough variant asthma" is a special type of asthma, which is usually characterized by dry cough, more severe cough, and night cough is an important feature, so it is also called "asthma without panting."

Cold air, irritating gases, pollen, pet fur, etc. can easily induce and aggravate coughs. The symptoms of cough variant asthma are similar to those of a cold, so they are easily ignored by patients.

The difference between a cough caused by a cold and cough variant asthma is that the cough symptoms of a cold generally only last for a few days and can be effectively relieved by taking cough syrup and other medicines. Cough variant asthma lasts for more than two weeks and is not relieved by taking common cold medicines.

It is worth noting that the chest X-ray or lung CT of patients with "cough variant asthma" often shows no specific changes and requires the help of "pulmonary function stimulation test" to confirm the diagnosis.

Avoiding irreversible damage requires consistent medication

Although cough variant asthma only manifests as coughing, its pathogenesis is the same as that of typical asthma. If the diagnosis and treatment are delayed, it is likely to develop into typical asthma, which will also cause irreversible damage to the respiratory system. Ma Yanliang, chief physician of the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Peking University People's Hospital: Many people think that they do not need to take medicine. In fact, this kind of cough is harmful to the body. Secondly, it means that you have chronic inflammation in your body. If this inflammation is not controlled, it will also affect lung function in the long run. Third, if it is not treated, typical asthma will appear in the future. According to experts, some patients have undergone comprehensive examinations and used therapeutic drugs, but they stop taking drugs after the symptoms are relieved. This practice is also very harmful.

Ma Yanliang, chief physician of the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Peking University People's Hospital: Generally speaking, it takes about three months for patients to stabilize, and the dosage can be gradually reduced to maintain the condition depending on the situation. Overall, it may take about a year to truly achieve the goal of controlling the disease.

Pay attention to daily life and seek medical attention promptly if you have symptoms

Experts remind that people with allergic constitutions need to pay attention to several points in their daily lives to avoid triggering cough variant asthma.

1. Avoid contact with allergens and irritants, avoid taking sensitive foods and drugs, wash bedding regularly, do not use carpets, do not keep pets such as cats and dogs, etc.;

2. Pay attention to temperature changes and keep warm in spring, and ventilate regularly;

3. Take appropriate exercise;

4. Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C, eat protein-rich foods appropriately, but avoid foods that are prone to allergies;

5. Pay attention to a regular schedule, go to bed early and get up early, and avoid staying up late.

Doctors remind patients with the following symptoms to seek medical attention in a timely manner: patients with repeated irritating dry coughs, mainly at night; patients with coughing duration of more than 8 weeks; patients who are exposed to cold or hot environmental stimulation, smoky and dusty environments, have pets at home, have recently renovated their homes, and cough repeatedly in the same season; patients whose symptoms are not relieved by conventional antibiotics and cough suppressants.