Asthma is a disorder caused by increased sensitivity of the bronchial tubes to a wide range of irritants. Generally this condition is inherited or acquired through inhaling irritants such as cigarette smoke. Symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing and chest tightness. Cough and other symptoms usually get worse at night. Most patients who have asthma are very familiar with the range of symptoms and therapy. Some patients with prolonged coughing may have a mild form of asthma without showing the more severe symptoms associated with this condition. The key to this diagnosis is a family history of asthma or any allergic tendency such as hayfever, atopic dermatitis, hives or allergic rhinitis. Please see Therapy for Chest Cough: Asthma.