There are several benefits to using stairs instead of the elevator, but a deep cough after climbing that top step can make you reluctant to fit that extra minute of physical exertion into your daily routine. Consult with your doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment of your symptoms.
Possible Conditions
Bronchitis causes a loud productive cough with a deep sound that causes chest pain, fatigue and a slight fever. Bronchitis often follows a viral infection, such as the common cold or flu. Asthma also produces a deep cough, which is often worse after physical activity. Croup is another possible cause; however, children are more commonly affected by this type of cough than adults. The sound of croup resembles a barking seal. Cold-like symptoms initially occur with croup, which include general malaise, a runny nose, nasal congestion, an itchy throat and a cough. The barking cough of croup peaks at night, but physical activity such as climbing upstairs can cause a deep croup coughing episode.
Causes
Bronchitis is caused by inflammation of the airways. Acute bronchitis is usually caused by a virus, but chronic bronchitis is a common problem for cigarette smokers who often avoid seeking medication attention since they dismiss the problem as a smoker’s cough. Walking up stairs is difficult for someone with bronchitis because they feel short of breath and develop coughing spells. Croup is usually caused by parainfluenza viruses between October and March. Although a virus is usually the cause of croup, this deep cough can also be caused by a bacterial infection, allergies, environmental irritants and gastroesophageal reflux disorder. Croup and bronchitis can both seem like the illness has passed until you try walking upstairs or performing some other type of physical activity and the coughing spell begins. The coughing and wheezing associated with asthma is caused by constriction of the airways and increased mucus production when a trigger is present. In this case, physical activity of walking upstairs triggers the asthma symptoms.
Treatment
Bronchitis is only treated with antibiotics if it is caused by a bacterial infection or if you’re at risk for a secondary infection. To relieve a bronchitis cough, turn your shower to the hottest setting and allow your bathroom to fill with steam. Sit in the steam for 15 minutes several times per day. Asthma attacks are treated with a short-acting inhaler, which can be taken when the cough occurs after walking upstairs. Short-acting inhalers open your airways.
If croup is caused by a bacterial infection, it responds well to antibiotics. However, croup is usually caused by a virus and needs to run its course. A cool air vaporizer can soothe the airways. If your cough occurs after walking up the stairs on a cold day or night, open a window and breathe in the cold outside air. Cold air often relieves a croup cough.
Prevention
Croup and bronchitis are prevented by practicing frequent hand washing to avoid the spread of upper respiratory infections. Vaccinations that protect you from diphtheria, Haemophilus influenza and measles can protect you from life-threatening forms of croup. If you’re a smoker, stop smoking. Smoking reduces the effectiveness of your immune system, which makes it harder for your body to fight infections, but it causes chronic bronchitis and worsens allergy symptoms and can lead to a chronic cough. A smoker may frequently experience the deep cough while going upstairs due to chronic bronchitis. If you have a viral infection and asthma, avoid using the stairs, since your chance of an asthma attack increases with exertion during illness.
