DDx ⬇
Lower airway disorders
- COPD
- Bronchiectasis
- Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA)
- Cystic fibrosis
- Eosinophilic pneumonia
- Bronchiolitis obliterans
Upper airway disorders
- Foreign-body aspiration
- Vocal cord paralysis
- Vocal cord dysfunction syndrome
- Laryngotracheal mass
- Tracheal stenosis
- Tracheomalacia
- Angioedema
- Airway edema from inhalation injury
Other
- CHF (cardiac asthma)
- GERD
- Pulmonary embolism
- Churg-Strauss syndrome
Psychiatric
- Conversion disorder (also called functional asthma or vocal cord dysfunction)
- Factitious disorder
- Malingering
Outline
Related DDx ⬆ ⬇
Etiology ⬆
Precipitants
- Environmental: house dust mites, cockroaches, cats, seasonal pollens, occupational exposure (occupational asthma), tobacco smoke, weather changes (especially cold air), air pollution
- Exercise
- URI
- Rhinitis and postnasal drip
- Sinusitis
- Aspiration
- GERD
- Drugs: beta blockers, aspirin, NSAIDs, histamine, methacholine, acetylcysteine, aerosolized pentamidine, any nebulized medication
- Catamenial asthma (menstrual)
- Stress