Coughing is one of the main symptoms of asthma. The cough in asthma is the same as the cough you get if you have a cold or chest infection. It can be quite dry or mucus may produced. A cough is a sudden, often repetitive, spasmodic contraction of the thoracic cavity, resulting in violent release of air from the lungs, and usually accompanied by a distinctive sound. Coughing is a useful function and does not always mean there is a problem with your child. However, coughing at night, after going to sleep indicates the need for medical attention." Coughing usually means there is something in the respiratory passages that should not be there. This can be caused by breathing in dust particles in the air or when a piece of food goes down the wrong way. Some common causes of chronic cough include asthma, allergic rhinitis, sinus problems (for example sinus infection), and esophageal reflux of stomach contents. In rare occasions, chronic cough may be the result of aspiration of foreign objects into the lungs (usually in children). It is very important to obtain a chest x-ray if a chronic cough is present. The following pertains to patients who have a normal chest x-ray. There are many causes of cough. A thorough history and physical examination help the veterinarian decide which causes of cough are most likely in your pet and helps him or her decide which diagnostic tests to recommend and which therapies are most likely to be effective. Cough originating from the trachea may be stimulated by lightly squeezing the trachea. Cough due to heart disease may be accompanied by a murmur or abnormal heart rate or rhythm. Controlled coughing technique 1. Sit on a chair or on the edge of your bed, with both feet on the floor. Lean slightly forward. Relax. 2. Fold your arms across your abdomen and breathe in slowly through your nose. (The power of the cough comes from moving air.) 3. To exhale: lean forward, pressing your arms against your abdomen. Cough 2-3* times through a slightly open mouth. Coughs should be short and sharp. Cough is generally a symptom of some other problem in the body. It is wise to "pull the rug out from under" the cough by helping the rest of the body get well. Healthy bodies do not cough. Whether it is a cold, flu, bronchitis, or pneumonia, strengthening one's immune system with Vitamin C can only help. Coughs can be treated with cough medicines. Dry coughs are treated with cough suppressants (antitussives) that suppress the body's urge to cough, while productive coughs (coughs that produce phlegm) are treated with expectorants that loosen mucus from the respiratory tract. Centrally acting cough suppressants, such as codeine and dextromethorphan reduce the urge to cough by inhibiting the response of the sensory endings by depolarization, or a dulling, of the vagus nerve, the nerve leading from the brain stem and serving the chest area. A recent study indicates that, because of the presence of theobromine in chocolate, 50 grams of dark chocolate may be an effective treatment for a persistent cough.[ Get plenty of rest, and drink lots of fluids. Try over-the-counter medicines to treat your symptoms. See your doctor. He or she can prescribe medicine to relieve your symptoms. If the coughing is severe or if you don't believe the irritant has been cleared from your airway, see your doctor or go to the emergency room right away.
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