The most common symptom of mild asthma is a chronic, persistent cough but it may be an indication of other pulmonary disease. Diagnosis of asthma just based on the cough is difficult as reasons for a chronic cough can be many. The best way to make out is if there is a wheezing sound with breathing or there is sputum that is not able to come out. The asthma coughs only increase in intensity without medication and may continue until the person is totally out of breath.
An asthma cough is usually a dry cough that is caused by bronchial spasms. The main reason for the persistent cough is an allergen that set off am immune system reaction to cough up the irritant. Airways get swollen due to production of histamine and muscles of the bronchial system get into spasms leading to the coughing to get the allergen out of the body. However, swelling in the air passages can also lead to discomfort and breathlessness. These coughs are set off by any allergens and can continue for long durations sometimes needing medical help in very sever cases of asthma.
To deal with an asthma cough and to lessen its intensity, using a bronchodilator can help loosen up the constricted muscles from around the bronchial tubes. The breathlessness occurs due to tightening of these muscles forcing the person to gasp and pant. Other medication that is used for relaxing the bronchial muscles are anti inflammatory medicines like inhalers with steroids to reduce swelling from the bronchi tubes, making it easy to breath.
Avoid pet dander, tobacco smoke and other allergens that can immediately set off a trigger for a mild attack. These irritate the bronchial passages very fast and asthmatic coughs start. You should always keep your inhaler with you is recommended as an emergency measure.