Persistent cough may be a sign of asthma

• The ongoing cough you can't get rid of could be a signal that you have asthma, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI).
• Asthma is a chronic lung disease that affects 20.3 million people in the United States.
• It accounts for approximately 14.5 million missed work days for adults and 14 million missed school days for children annually.
• For people who have asthma, the air flowing in and out of their lungs may be blocked by muscle swelling and squeezing.
• Symptoms of asthma include cough, chest tightness, shortness of breath and wheezing.
• o Is there a family history of asthma or allergies?
• o Are you constantly short of breath and wheezing?
• o When do you notice your symptoms - when you have a cold, when you are exercising or around allergens, such as pollen, mold and animal dander?
• o Are you missing work because of symptoms?
• o Does your child cough, wheeze (a rattling sound when they breathe), have chest tightness or shortness of breath?
• o Is your child missing school because of symptoms?
• o Is coughing and wheezing keeping your child up at night?
• Asthma SymptomsDo You Or Your Kids Have It?
• Symptoms, Treatments, News, MoremyDNA.com "If you have asthma, you can minimize your symptoms by avoiding the factors that trigger your symptoms and by working with your allergist/immunologist."
• To help prevent symptoms, he or she will work with you to figure out your asthma triggers and develop an appropriate management plan, including developing environmental controls and prescribing medication, if needed.
• To find an allergist / immunologist in your area or to learn more about asthma, call the AAAAI Physician Referral and Information Line at 1-800-822-2762 or visit the AAAAI Web site.