chronic cough

THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES Melanoma prevention Spring's warmer temperatures are great, but the sun has a dark side, too. Its ultraviolet [...]

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: My son, 8, has been coughing off-and-on at night for a few weeks and says his chest hurts, but he never complains about it during the day. Could he have asthma? How is it diagnosed? If it’s very mild, would he still need treatment?

ANSWER: Based on the symptoms you describe, it is possible that your son has asthma. His doctor can confirm the diagnosis using a test that measures lung function called spirometry. Even in mild cases of asthma, treatment usually is recommended to help relieve symptoms. When someone has asthma, the small airways in the lungs narrow, swell, and produce extra mucus. This can lead to a variety of signs and symptoms. In children older than 3, wheezing is typically the most specific asthma symptom. But in some kids, a chronic cough may be the only asthma symptom that they have. A persistent cough at night, an illness that includes a cough that lasts more than three weeks, or coughing in response to cold air, exercise, or laughing may all be the result of asthma. When asthma is suspected in a child who is 5 years or older, the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program expert panel recommends lung function testing using spirometry. For this test, your son will take a deep breath and breathe out as hard as he can for several seconds into a tube that is attached to a machine called a spirometer.

Chronic cough

Cold symptoms: Does drinking milk increase phlegm?

THIS WEEK'S TOP STORY Tips for choosing healthier fast foods Is fast food on your menu tonight? You don't need to give up your weight-loss plans for this quick meal. Just be choosy. Expert Answers Liposuction alternatives: Do fat-reduction devices work? Diabetes prevention: 5 tips for taking control Coping with stress: Workplace tips Erectile dysfunction Chronic cough HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK Shopping for shades? Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can damage your eyes, not just your skin. Choose sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays. Skip sunglasses that are labeled 'cosmetic' and those that don't offer details on the amount of UV protection. Opt for larger lenses rather than smaller lenses. Better yet, choose wraparound sunglasses. Be aware that while polarized lenses reduce glare, they don't offer any UV protection unless they're specifically treated with UV coating.