A lingering cough may be more than a seasonal nuisance—and doctors are urging people not to ignore the warning signs.

 

A cough lasting beyond two to three weeks, especially one that worsens at night or in the early morning, paired with occasional breathlessness or chest tightness, is often brushed off as a cold or allergy. But specialists at CARE Hospitals say these symptoms could point to something far more serious: undiagnosed asthma.

 

Marking World Asthma Day 2026, doctors sounded the alarm over a steady surge in respiratory illnesses. They attribute the rise to worsening air pollution, construction dust, vehicle emissions, erratic weather, and increasing exposure to indoor pollutants.

 

This year’s theme—“Access to Anti-Inflammatory Inhalers for Everyone with Asthma – Still an Urgent Need”—underscores a critical gap: millions still lack access to essential inhaled corticosteroids that can prevent severe attacks and save lives.

 

Asthma remains one of the most widespread chronic diseases globally, affecting more than 260 million people and claiming over 450,000 lives each year—most of them preventable. India alone accounts for an estimated 34.3 million cases, placing it among the countries with the heaviest burden.

 

Dr. Sudhir Prasad, Senior Pulmonologist, CARE Hospitals, Malakpet, said, “Asthma attacks cause significant distress not just to patients, but also to their families. They can disrupt schooling, careers, sleep, and daily functioning, and in severe cases, can lead to emergency hospitalisation or even death. Yet many of these complications are entirely preventable with timely diagnosis and appropriate inhaler therapy.”

 

He explained how the condition escalates rapidly: “Asthma attacks occur when the airways narrow due to tightening of airway muscles, swelling caused by inflammation, and excess mucus blocking the breathing passages. This reduces airflow into the lungs and compromises oxygen delivery to the body. That is why asthma symptoms should never be ignored.”

 

Crucially, he warned that asthma does not always present dramatically. “Many people believe asthma always presents with severe breathlessness. In reality, persistent cough, especially night-time cough, may be the only symptom in some patients. We diagnose asthma in many individuals who initially present only with chronic cough.”

 

Indoor air quality is emerging as a hidden trigger. “Prolonged AC use, poor ventilation, dust accumulation, fungal growth, pet hair, and indoor allergens are increasingly contributing to asthma flare-ups. In some cases, indoor air pollution is proving to be more harmful than outdoor pollution,” he added.

 

Dr. Syed Abdul Aleem, Senior Pulmonologist, CARE Hospitals, Musheerabad, highlighted a critical mistake many patients make: stopping treatment too early. 

 

“One of the biggest reasons for preventable asthma emergencies is poor adherence to inhaler therapy. Many patients stop using inhalers once symptoms improve, assuming the disease has resolved. But asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that requires sustained long-term control. Discontinuing inhalers midway significantly increases the risk of severe asthma attacks.”

 

Doctors also note that symptoms often spike during summer, dust-heavy periods, and seasonal transitions, when allergens and infections are more common.

 

They urge immediate screening for anyone experiencing persistent cough, wheezing, chest tightness, or breathlessness during routine activities. Parents, too, should be alert to signs in children, including coughing after play, frequent wheezing, or lingering symptoms after viral infections.

 

Simple precautions—like wearing masks in dusty environments, maintaining clean indoor air, servicing AC filters, staying hydrated, and avoiding smoke and aerosols—can help reduce risk. Most importantly, patients must stick to prescribed inhaler therapy.

 

Doctors stress that asthma, while chronic, is highly manageable. “If identified early and treated appropriately, asthma can be effectively controlled and patients can lead completely normal lives. But neglecting symptoms or delaying treatment can lead to repeated emergencies, lung damage, and reduced quality of life,” they said.