Serious coughs: Asthma

The following serious illnesses associated with coughing require immediate medical treatment.

The Greek word ‘asthma’ literally means panting, a very accurate description of how asthmatics often breathe. This is because the bronchial tubes either go into spasm or their mucous membranes swell, narrowing the space for airflow. Common triggers for this painful, frightening and potentially life-threatening condition are allergies, stress, heart disease, and can occur in children, due to a blockage in the throat, possibly resulting from an enlargement of the thymus gland. Asthma in children mostly does not start until between age two and three years, although younger babies may have wheezy chests, frequent respiratory infections, or excess mucus.
Children often outgrow asthma in adolescence, but it’s a serious disease and should never be treated without a doctor’s guidance.

Identifying the cough

• The cough is mostly tight, dry and painful
• Wheezing or noisy, difficult breathing
•  Blue tinging of the lips and tongue, and difficulty in speaking, are characteristic.

Serious coughs: Croup


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