Healthy Habits: Misdiagnosed Asthma

Disclosure: I received complimentary products to facilitate this post. All opinions are my own.

 Dr. Jamie Koufman is a pioneering laryngologist and director of the Voice Institute of New York. She recently wrote THE CHRONIC COUGH ENIGMA – Acid Reflux, Asthma, and Recalcitrant Cough – The Path to a Cure. Dr. Koufman is also the author of the New York Times bestseller, Dropping Acid: The Reflux Diet Cookbook & Cure. 

I got to read The Chronic Cough Enigma. I don't suffer from chronic cough, but I do like the way it was written. Apparently there's a large population out there that's been misdiagnosed with asthma when it's really reflux. This book seems to have a two-pronged target - doctors who are working with patients suspected of having asthma but don't quite fit the mold, and people who are dealing with chronic cough. Dr. Koufman clearly explains the qualities that set reflux apart from asthma, and why the two are often confused. As a laryngologist (throat doctor), she works in sort of a bridge with pulmonologists (lung doctors) and gastroenterologists (digestive system doctors) and explains why some symptoms are often missed by other specialties.

She also includes information about treatment plans she uses with her patients, explaining that every individual body is different and some will have different triggers. The treatment plan is also doable and definitely worth purchasing the book for to consult with your own doctor to see if it will help you.

If you have chronic cough and aren't quite sure that it's asthma, this is an excellent book for you to help explore options.