What are the common physiological causes of dry cough asthma?

Generally, the common physiological causes of dry cough and asthma mainly include increased sensitivity of airway smooth muscles, abnormal airway mucus secretion, enhanced excitability of the vagus nerve, weakened ciliary movement in the airways, and dysfunction of respiratory muscles. If discomfort symptoms occur, it is recommended to seek timely medical treatment at a qualified hospital. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Increased Sensitivity of Airway Smooth Muscles

The responsiveness of airway smooth muscles to various stimuli abnormally increases, and even minor stimuli can trigger contractions, leading to airway narrowing and causing dry cough and asthma symptoms. It is important to avoid exposure to irritants such as cold air and dust in daily life, take protective measures when going outdoors, and reduce contact with irritants.

2. Abnormal Airway Mucus Secretion

Changes in the quantity or consistency of mucus secreted by the airway mucosa can result in excessively thick mucus adhering to the airway walls, irritating the mucosa and causing dry cough while also affecting airway patency and triggering asthma. Increasing water intake appropriately to keep the airways moist or using nebulized saline inhalation can help improve mucus condition.

3. Enhanced Excitability of the Vagus Nerve

When the vagus nerve is excited, neurotransmitters are released that cause airway smooth muscle contraction and reduce the airway's ability to dilate, triggering dry cough and asthma. Nervous system excitability can be regulated through deep breathing exercises, meditation, and other methods to reduce abnormal contraction responses.

4. Weakened Ciliary Movement in the Airways

Reduced ciliary beating function impairs the effective clearance of foreign substances and secretions from the airways, causing accumulated materials to irritate the airways and provoke dry cough; long-term effects may induce asthma. Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke should be avoided to reduce damage to ciliary function, and adequate vitamin intake should be maintained to enhance ciliary function.

5. Dysfunction of Respiratory Muscles

Weakened respiratory muscle strength or poor coordination leads to reduced breathing efficiency and abnormal airway pressure, causing dry cough and asthma symptoms. Respiratory muscle training, such as pursed-lip breathing and diaphragmatic breathing, can enhance respiratory muscle strength and coordination.

In daily life, it is important to maintain good indoor air circulation and appropriate temperature and humidity levels, avoid excessive fatigue, ensure sufficient sleep, engage in regular physical exercise to strengthen the body, and seek timely medical attention and follow medical advice when symptoms appear.