What is cough variant asthma? Cough variant asthma is a specific type of asthma in which chronic cough is the main or only clinical manifestation. At the onset of bronchial asthma, about 5% to 6% have a persistent cough as the main symptom, mostly at night or in the early morning, often irritating, when it is often misdiagnosed as bronchitis. Among the single causes of chronic cough, asthma accounts for 24% and ranks 2nd, while 28% of asthma patients have cough as the only clinical symptom. Etiology of cough asthma The causes of this disease are very complex and are related to subjective factors such as personal factors genetic quality, immune status, psychosomatic status, endocrine and health status, in addition to environmental factors such as allergens, viral infections, occupational factors, climate, drugs, exercise and diet. The two major causes of cough variant asthma in children are congenital atopic allergies; and environmental influences. Symptoms of cough asthma 1. When the onset of asthma begins, about 5% to 6% of the cases have persistent cough as the main symptom, mostly occurring at night or in the early morning, often irritating cough, which is often misdiagnosed as bronchitis at this time; 2. There is a personal history of allergy, i.e., accompanied by a history of eczema, urticaria, allergic rhinitis, etc., and family history of allergy can also be found; 3. Asthma is seasonal, mostly seen in spring and autumn and recurrent; 4. The clinical manifestations of asthma are mainly long-term persistent dry cough, often triggered by exercise, inhalation of cold air, upper respiratory tract infection, intensifying at night or in the early morning, without croup on physical examination; 5. increased lung texture but no other organic changes. Treatment of cough variant asthma Persistent cough is often a manifestation of early asthma and may develop into classic bronchial asthma, so it should be diagnosed and treated early. Since its essence, like typical asthma, is chronic non-specific inflammation of the airways caused by allergens or other triggers, and the formation of airway hyperresponsiveness and persistent cough on this basis, the principles of treatment are the same as those for typical asthma, with the main application of bronchodilators, oral theophyllines and/or β2-receptor stimulants. Prevention of cough variant asthma Avoiding allergens and paying extra attention during the good season, as well as avoiding inhalation of smoke, dust, odors or irritating gases are good preventive measures against asthma attacks. The prognosis of coughing asthma is that about 1/3 to 1/2 of patients with coughing asthma will develop into typical bronchial asthma, while a few patients have a cough that gradually resolves on its own. In children, cough may be the only clinical manifestation of asthma, and the lack of early and appropriate treatment often leads to the development of a more severe asthmatic state.