differential diagnosis
Last reviewed 01/2018
The differential diagnosis of asthma varies with age:
- 6-11 years
- chronic upper airway cough syndrome -sneezing, itching, blocked nose, throat-clearing
- inhaled foreign body - sudden onset of symptoms, unilateral wheeze
- bronchiectasis - recurrent infections, productive cough
- primary ciliary dyskinesia - recurrent infections, productive cough, sinusitis
- congenital heart disease - cardiac murmurs
- bronchopulmonary dysplasia - pre-term delivery, symptoms since birth
- cystic fibrosis - excessive cough and mucus production, gastrointestinal symptoms
- 12-39 years
- chronic upper airway cough syndrome - sneezing, itching, blocked nose, throat-clearing
- vocal cord dysfunction - dyspnea, inspiratory wheezing (stridor)
- hyperventilation, dysfunctional breathing - dizziness, paresthesia, sighing
- bronchiectasis - productive cough, recurrent infections
- cystic fibrosis - excessive cough and mucus production
- congenital heart disease - cardiac murmurs
- alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency - shortness of breath, family history of early emphysema
- inhaled foreign body - sudden onset of symptoms
- 40+ years
- vocal cord dysfunction - dyspnea, inspiratory wheezing (stridor)
- hyperventilation, dysfunctional breathing - dizziness, paresthesia, sighing
- COPD - cough, sputum, dyspnea on exertion, smoking or noxious exposure
- bronchiectasis - productive cough, recurrent infections
- cardiac failure - dyspnea with exertion, nocturnal symptoms
- medication-related cough - treatment with angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor
- parenchymal lung disease - dyspnea with exertion, non-productive cough, finger clubbing
- pulmonary embolism - sudden onset of dyspnea, chest pain
- central airway obstruction - dyspnea, unresponsive to bronchodilators
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