Dry Cough, Chest Tightness Can Be Asthma Too — It's Not Always Breathlessness!
World Asthma Day: Normally, when people think of asthma, breathlessness is often the first symptom that comes to mind. But that’s not the whole story. This World Asthma Day, doctors are urging Indians to look beyond the textbook symptoms — and act early.
In fact, says Dr Pradeep Bajad, senior consultant, pulmonology, at Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, many asthma patients never experience this hallmark sign — and this widespread misconception is causing thousands across India to miss early warnings and delay vital treatment. Instead, symptoms such as a persistent dry cough, chest tightness, or wheezing — especially if they appear at night or early in the morning — may go unnoticed or be misattributed to everyday factors like pollution, acidity, or even stress, Dr Bajad tells ABP Live.
India’s Disproportionate Asthma Burden
The stakes are high. India carries one of the heaviest asthma burdens in the world. According to the Global Burden of Disease Report, the country accounts for more than 13% of global asthma cases and a staggering 42% of global asthma-related deaths — the highest in the world.
Yet, despite these alarming statistics, asthma continues to be underdiagnosed and undertreated. Awareness remains particularly low in rural and semi-urban areas, where access to pulmonology specialists and screening facilities can be limited.
Asthma’s Hidden Faces
According to Dr Pradeep Bajad, many patients land up at hospitals after weeks or even months of ineffective self-treatment.
"Many of my patients come to me after trying syrups, antibiotics, or home remedies for a cough that just won’t go away,” he shares. “They never imagined it could be asthma, simply because they weren’t breathless.”
One of the most overlooked forms is cough-variant asthma — a subtype where chronic dry cough is the only symptom. There is no wheezing. No shortness of breath. And yet, it can be just as serious. This form is especially common in school-aged children and young adults, particularly in cities with high levels of air pollution — such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata.
Misattribution Of The Early Signs
In many Indian households, early asthma symptoms are often brushed aside or mistaken for more familiar conditions. Some common culprits, that the patients and their respective families confuse asthma symptoms with, include:
- Acidity or GERD
- Cold weather or seasonal allergies
- Exposure to dust or pollution
- Mental stress or physical fatigue
This casual dismissal of symptoms can delay diagnosis and push patients into a more severe stage of the disease. Left unmanaged, asthma can lead to airway remodelling — a condition where the airways become permanently narrowed and overly reactive. This can cause more frequent and severe attacks, repeated hospital visits, and a drop in quality of life.
The Case For Early Diagnosis
Timely screening is critical — and often surprisingly simple. “If someone has a dry cough lasting more than 2-3 weeks, or experiences chest tightness, wheezing, or breathlessness on exertion — even mildly — they should consult a pulmonologist,” advises Dr. Bajad. “A basic spirometry test can detect asthma early and prevent long-term complications.”
Unfortunately, such evaluations are often postponed until the symptoms begin to significantly disrupt daily life — by which time irreversible airway changes may have already set in.
Rethinking Asthma This World Asthma Day
Asthma is a complex condition. And it rarely looks the same in every person. For some, it may present as night-time coughing fits. For others, a tightness in the chest while climbing stairs. And yes, for many, there may never be any obvious breathlessness.
Recognising these nuances is especially important for India’s diverse, high-risk population. This World Asthma Day, it’s time to shed old assumptions and embrace a more informed approach to respiratory health, says Dr Bajad.
If you or someone you know is battling unexplained cough or respiratory discomfort, don’t delay. The earlier the diagnosis, the better the outcome.
Kirti Pandey is a senior independent journalist.
[Disclaimer: The information provided in the article, including treatment suggestions shared by doctors, is intended for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.]
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