In daily life, have you ever experienced this situation: when cold air hits, kitchen fumes fill the air, or you catch certain odors, you start coughing persistently without producing phlegm?

This condition might be caused by cough-variant asthma.

Cough variant asthma is a manifestation of asthma, but its symptoms primarily focus on coughing with relatively less phlegm production.

Patients often experience worsening of cough symptoms when exposed to cold air, cooking fumes, odors, or temperature changes. In severe cases, it may be accompanied by breathlessness, affecting sleep quality and daily life.

I encountered a real case - a male patient nearing 60 years old who had been struggling with cough variant asthma for over five years when he came for consultation. Despite trying numerous medications, his condition remained unstable with frequent relapses. His cough would particularly worsen upon exposure to cold air or cooking fumes, occurring almost nightly and causing him great distress.

His phlegm was thick and sticky, and he demonstrated significant cold intolerance. Through traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis, this patient was identified as suffering from wind pathogen invading the lungs with impaired lung dispersion and descent function.

So, how does traditional Chinese medicine treat it?

For this patient's condition, traditional Chinese medicine adopted the treatment methods of dispersing wind and diffusing the lungs, relieving spasms and resolving phlegm, with the addition of formulas to warm the kidneys and protect the exterior.

The focus of treatment lies in addressing the root cause, expelling the "wind pathogen" from the body to effectively control the condition.

In addition to medication, I advised the patient to particularly focus on the following three aspects to effectively reduce airway sensitivity and control the condition.

First, Prevent Colds

Colds are the "culprit" behind recurrent episodes of cough-variant asthma. Therefore, during treatment, patients must prioritize staying warm to avoid catching colds. If a cold occurs, seek medical attention promptly to prevent worsening of the condition.

Second, Dietary Considerations

Dietary management plays a crucial role in alleviating symptoms of cough-variant asthma.

Patients should maintain a light diet, avoiding raw, cold, greasy, and spicy foods. At the same time, ensure nutritional balance by eating plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits to help boost immunity.

III. Moderate exercise

Moderate exercise can help patients open their qi circulation and improve physical fitness.

It is recommended to choose gentler exercise methods such as walking, Tai Chi, or Ba Duan Jin, persisting with 30 minutes each morning and evening. Exercise should be done within one's capabilities to avoid excessive fatigue.

After several cycles of treatment, my patient was finally freed from the years-long cough that had plagued him.

If you or someone close to you is also suffering from such distress, you might try the methods mentioned above - they may bring unexpected relief.

At the same time, I'd like to remind everyone to pay attention to their health, seek medical help promptly, and avoid worsening conditions.