As the name suggests, cough variant asthma is a type of asthma that causes a dry, non-productive and constant cough as its primary symptom. It is commonly seen in children, or during early childhood. It may later develop into a typical Asthma condition with wheezing. Once triggered, an episode of cough variant asthma can last for 6-8 weeks. Homeopathic medicine for cough variant asthma can be used with conventional treatment to help reduce the severity of symptoms and treat the chronic condition.

Symptoms of Cough Variant Asthma (CVA)

Symptoms of cough variant asthma are different from those of typical asthma. The characteristic sign of wheezing is usually not present in cough variant Asthma. It is not mandatory that every individual with cough variant asthma will develop asthma. The symptoms of cough variant asthma include:
1. Dry, spasmodic and persistent cough is the most common and prominent symptom of cough variant asthma. A cough can occur at any time of the day, but it is usually more in the evening and night hours.
2. Vomiting followed by a cough is also commonly seen.
3. Some may also complain of difficulty in breathing.
4. Sleeplessness: Because of the incessant and frequent episodes of cough, one might have reduced or disturbed sleep.
5. Flu-like Symptoms: In some cases, there may be associated flu-like symptoms of sneezing, runny nose and fever.

Who is at Risk of Developing Cough Variant Asthma?

• Children, especially during their early childhood, are at a higher risk of developing it. • Someone with a family history of asthma.
• Associated history of pneumonia or bronchitis increases the risk.
• Person with a weak immune system.
• People exposed to environmental pollution or those living around farms
• Active or passive smokers.
• Obese People
• Presence of any other allergic conditions.
Some other conditions that can cause a cough, but are not necessarily CVA include bronchitis, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorders), blood pressure medication in adults, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), post nasal drip, etc.

Cough Variant Asthma Natural Treatment with Homeopathy

Homeopathy has some natural remedies for cough variant asthma that help treat cough variant asthma from the root. It is an entirely natural approach which not only addresses cough variant asthma but also naturally eliminates the tendency of having a recurrent cough.
In case of asthma, bronchodilators are the first line of conventional treatment used in most cases of cough variant asthma. They work by dilating the narrowed airways. In some instances, the dilators might increase a cough due to the sensitivity of the airways. In such cases, oral immune-suppressants may be prescribed.
All these modes of treatment give temporary relief from a cough and help calm down an acute episode. But in the long run, they affect the immune system and make a person more prone to have recurrent episodes, and also increase the allergic tendencies.
However, if a cough is severe, with marked dyspnoea (difficult breathing), the use of inhalers is necessary. Treating the acute condition is essential. Also, if someone has been using inhalers quite frequently, they should not suddenly withdraw them after starting homeopathy. The ideal way is to gradually reduce the usage of inhalers and switch over to homeopathy.

Cough Variant Asthma Natural Treatment -Homeopathic Medcines That Help

Cina Maritima – Natural Homeopathic Medicine for Cough Variant Asthma with Paroxysmal Cough

Cina Maritima is a remedy prepared from a plant called Artemisia Maritima which belongs to the family Asteraceae. It is commonly known as “wormseed” or “Santonica.” This homeopathic medicine is prepared from the dried flowers of this plant. The plant contains lots of essential and volatile oils. In ancient times, it was known to be used by Greek and Romans for its medicinal properties.
This is one of the top homeopathic remedies for cough variant asthma. The primary symptom indicative of this remedy is there are paroxysms (sudden, violent episodes) of a cough. Vomiting with the cough is another important feature indicating the need for Cina. The child may throw up after the violent coughing. The cough is dry and is usually gets worse at night. A dry cough might be associated with flu-like symptoms, mainly sneezing and loss of appetite with sleeplessness.
The child requiring Cina might also complain of a tickling sensation in the throat. The mucus rattles in the chest, and the child is not able to expel it out. Shortness of breath or suffocation accompanies the cough episodes. At night, the breathing is loud, short and the child sleeps with an open mouth. Cina is very helpful in cases where the child has to put much effort into breathing because of which there may be excessive sweating at night. Some of the common triggering factors for the asthma troubles that are treated well with Cina are exposure to cold air, evening/night time or when the child wakes up from sleep.

Key Indications for using Cina for CVA:

-Paroxysmal Cough
– Rattling Mucus
– Excessive sweating at night

Drosera – Natural Medicine for Cough Variant Asthma When there is Cough with Vomiting

The plant of Drosera, commonly known as Sundew, is one of the most widespread species of Sundew. It grows widely in the areas of Europe, North America, Siberia, Japan, Korea and in some parts of United States. In the 16th Century, it was used by the physicians for skin eruptions. In the 18th Century, it was majorly used by the Germans for a whooping cough and other chest disorders. The fresh plant is used to make the homeopathic tincture of this remedy. A very characteristic feature that indicates the need for Drosera is a spasmodic cough with vomiting. There is an episode of incessant dry cough resulting in retching and vomiting. Vomiting of food, water or mucus can be seen. The episodes are too frequent, one followed by the other, making the breathing difficult and short. There can be extreme weakness followed by the episode. The cough is worse after lying down at night.
Drosera is very helpful in cases of cough variant asthma where the person complains of a feeling of constriction or heaviness in the chest. The child usually wakes up due to an episode of a spasmodic cough lasting for a few minutes and then goes to sleep. The episodes of cough variant asthma are also triggered by laughing, singing or at times excessive talking. The medicine is also indicated in cases where there is wheezing with a cough.

Key Indications for using Drosera for CVA:

– Spasmodic Cough
– Vomiting
– Wheezing

Coccus Cacti – Natural Treatment for Cough Variant Asthma with Suffocating Cough

Coccus Cacti one of the top homeopathic medicines for cough variant asthma. The main characteristic that indicates the need for this remedy is a tickling sensation in the larynx which wakes up a person at night. This is followed by an incessant cough ending in vomiting of profuse mucous or food.
A cough after rising in the morning or early morning cough (around 6:00 am or 7:00 am) which leads to vomiting of a lot of mucus also indicates the need for Coccus Cacti. It is also helpful in suffocative coughs, where there is an accumulation of mucus in the chest which is difficult to expel. A cough is at times triggered after dinner or due to overeating. Overfilling of the stomach may bring on paroxysms of a cough. There may also be a sense of discomfort or pressure in the chest due to the accumulation of excessive mucus. The cough episodes of CVA are triggered by brushing teeth or rinsing the mouth, clearing the throat, exposure to a warm room, or by consuming alcoholic beverages.

Key Indications for the use of Coccus Cacti for CVA:

– Tickling Sensation
– Early Morning Cough
– Suffocative Cough

Rumex – Natural Remedy for Cough Variant Asthma with Night Aggravation

Rumex belongs to the natural order of Polygonaceae. It is a native of Europe and America and grows in the dry fields or waste places. It is commonly known as the “Curled dock” or “Yellow Dock.” The tincture is prepared from fresh roots that are collected before flowering. Rumex is an effective homeopathic medicine for cough variant asthma. The cough is dry with constant tickling in the throat. One of the important indicative features of Rumex is the sensitivity to cold air. Slightest exposure to cold air or even uncovering at night can bring on the episodes of a cough. It is frequently used in cases of cough variant asthma where the cough episodes are bad during night time, preventing sleep. It is especially beneficial for cough in children. The child has a dry, suffocating, choking or barking type of a cough that is followed by tiredness or fatigue. Common triggering factors of a cough include cold air, talking, pressure on the throat, lying down or even moving to another room. The cough usually gets worse around 11:00 pm, 2:00 am and 5:00 am.

Ipecacuanha:Natural Homeopathic Medicine for Cough Variant Asthma with Vomiting

The plant of Ipecacuanha is a flowering plant which native to Brazil, Costa Rica, Colombia, and Panama. It belongs to the family Rubiaceae and the homeopathic tincture is prepared from dried and finely powdered roots of this plant. It is well indicated as a natural remedy for cough variant asthma for dry spasmodic cough provoked by tickling in the larynx. There is a constricted feeling in the throat which triggers the cough. The main indicative feature is that the episodes of cough are accompanied by nausea and vomiting. One ends up vomiting after almost every episode of cough. The cough is usually triggered at night (mostly after dinner or after going to bed). There can be associated pain in the abdomen or pressure in the bladder with cough. The episodes of cough are exhausting which can even last for an hour resulting into tiredness and fatigue. Cough with retching of a great amount of mucus. There is breathlessness and difficult breathing. The cough comes typically in fits. There is rattling of mucus or phlegm in the chest which is vomited with cough. It is well-indicated for evening coughs.

Spongia Tosta -Natural Homeopathic Medicine as Natural Treatment forVariant Asthma when Cough is Dry

Spongia is an adequate naural medicine for cough variant asthma and asthma. The main characteristic feature of Spongia is that is extreme dryness of the mucous membranes and the air passages. There is dryness of the throat, trachea, larynx and even tongue. A cough is caused due to excessive dryness, talking or rising from bed, drinking milk or cold drinks. Spongia is indicated when a cough is dry and barking in nature. It is usually worse after the midnight and gets better after eating or drinking warm liquids. There can be a pain in the chest while coughing. One might also experience painful pressure under the ribs while coughing. It is also indicated where wheezing is present along with a cough. There is a heavy sensation in the chest as if some mucus has accumulated, but there is no release of mucus. There might be some expulsion of mucus in a small quantity in the morning with effort. A cough with the sensation of heaviness making it difficult to breathe, frequent episodes of a night-time cough, sweating while coughing are other symptoms. The attacks of cough variant asthma are usually worse during winter.

Memphitis – Natural Medicine for Cough Variant Asthma with Violent Cough

Mephitis is a frequently used homeopathic medicine for cough variant asthma with dry and spasmodic coughs. The episodes of a cough are suffocative and worse at night. The spells of a dry cough are so severe and violent that it seems as if will it be life-threatening. There is a hollow cough with rawness and pain in the chest. There may be vomiting with a cough (especially after eating). There is vomiting immediately or a few hours after eating. Hoarseness and rattling of mucus with a cough, difficulty breathing at night (the individual has to sit up in bed to breathe), and difficulty in exhaling are other symptoms. The triggering factors of a cough are talking, reading loudly or drinking ice or cold water. The remedy is also indicated in cases where one has frequent episodes of flu or fever along with the cough variant asthma.

Causes of Cough Variant Asthma

There are multiple factors which can cause cough variant asthma:

Allergies

Allergies are one of the most common causes of CVA, especially in children. As it happens in typical asthma, exposure to the allergens can trigger incessant coughing. A cough is usually a mechanism of the body trying to expel something. When a person’s airway is exposed to the allergic substance, an incessant cough is triggered in response to it.
Common allergens found in cases of cough variant asthma are:
 Dust
 Pollen
 Dust Mites
 Molds
 Animal Dander
 Aspirin
 Smoke
 Environmental pollutants

Recurrent Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

These recurrent infections or even a prolonged episode of cold or flu can make a person vulnerable to develop cough variant asthma. Especially, if there is a baseline allergy, there is a higher risk of developing CVA.

Sensitive Airways

Individuals with sensitive airways are prone to develop a persistent and constant cough. At times, even exposure to cold air can trigger an episode of cough variant asthma. Their airways show hypersensitive reaction by inducing cough or constriction.

Difference between Asthma and Cough Variant Asthma

The main difference between asthma and cough variant asthma is the absence of symptoms like wheezing, a constricted feeling in the chest, dyspnoea (Difficult breathing), and shortness of breath in the case of CVA. These are the classic symptoms of asthma, while cough variant asthma is characterized mainly by a dry cough.