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OCCASIONALLY, YOU MIGHT swallow a piece of food or a sip of water the wrong way and break out into a coughing fit. Usually, it’ll pass after a few minutes. But if you notice you always seem to be coughing after you eat, it could be a sign of a bigger medical issue.
In general, coughing, even after eating, is the body’s way of clearing your airways and “is typically triggered by an irritant in the throat or the lower airways,” explains Youngnan Jenny Cho, M.D., an otolaryngologist in New York City.
“Your throat closes momentarily, and air pressure builds up in the chest,” she explains. “Then, as the larynx opens, a gust of air flies out, carrying any mucus or irritant with it.”
A little clearing of the throat or a bit of coughing after eating is typically not much to worry about, Dr. Cho says.
But anyone who coughs regularly after most of their meals or even after drinking water should see their doctor, emphasizes Joseph James Jennings, M.D., a gastroenterologist at MedStar Health in Washington, D.C. Also, pay attention to other symptoms along with coughing after eating.
“Other alarming signs include if they have a noticeable change in their voice or any issues with swallowing like a sensation of food or liquids getting stuck in their chest,” Dr. Jennings says.
Usually, a few lifestyle modifications can help stop the after-mealtime coughing. But you also might need treatments from your doctor. Here’s what you should know about a persistent cough after eating and how to get rid of it.
Why You’re Coughing After Eating
Many factors can trigger a cough while you’re eating or after you finish. Here are a few:
You have acid reflux or GERD.
The most common reason you cough after chowing down is “due to the reflux of stomach contents coming back up the esophagus,” explains MH adviser Felice Schnoll-Sussman, M.D., who’s also director of the Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health at Weill Cornell Medicine/New York-Presbyterian. This reflux irritates the pharynx and larynx.
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“Even a small amount of reflux from the esophagus into the back of the throat can be very irritating to the area and thus cause a dry cough or throat clearing as the body tries to get rid of that irritant,” Dr. Jennings says.
Acid reflux and GERD trigger coughing as a defense mechanism to protect your airway and lungs, he adds.
“In the case of reflux or other throat irritation, the sensation in the throat can be hypersensitive and trigger a cough even during normal swallowing,” Dr. Cho says.
Acid reflux that’s chronic is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. Other GERD symptoms include a chronic sore throat, excess mucus, and chronic throat clearing. Research shows that at least 25 percent of chronic cough cases—meaning your hacking lasts at least eight weeks—are tied to GERD.
Over-the-counter acid suppression medications, known as proton pump inhibitors, can help, Dr. Jennings says. These medications include Nexium or Prevacid and inhibit an enzyme involved in producing stomach acid. Doctors may also prescribe stronger versions if needed, so see your physician if your acid reflux or GERD symptoms persist.
In some cases, antireflux surgery is needed, explains Dr. Schnoll-Sussman.
Untreated reflux can be pretty serious. Beyond the annoying cough and heartburn, it can drop into the lungs and cause chronic bronchitis or pneumonia, says Dr. Schnoll-Sussman.
You’re eating or drinking certain things.
The types of food you consume can trigger acid reflux or otherwise make you cough.
“Avoiding foods that may decrease the tone of the lower esophageal sphincter, such as caffeinated beverages like coffee or colas, tomato-based products, and citric products, may be helpful,” advises Dr. Schnoll-Sussman.
Dr. Cho adds that you might want to steer clear of fizzy drinks. They “can cause burping, which can also bring up acid into the throat,” she says. That irritates the throat and can trigger coughing.
You could have an allergy.
Sometimes coughing after eating could be due to allergies or post-nasal drip.
Food allergies may also be to blame. They can cause a range of symptoms, including wheezing, coughing, and nasal congestion, according to the Mayo Clinic, and may trigger tongue or mouth numbness, itching, or facial swelling. In rare instances, a food allergy can lead to anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening.
“Certainly, you can get an irritation and itching in the throat if you were allergic to, say, pineapple,” says Dr. Cho, “but an allergy would cause more of an irritation in the mouth.”
However, she says, food allergies tend to cause symptoms farther down the GI tract, such as abdominal discomfort, gurgling, or bloating.
To see if it’s a food allergy, you can try removing the suspected food group from your diet for two to six weeks and then see whether your symptoms improve, says Dr. Cho. “You can also have allergy testing, which can help zero in on specific offenders,” she says, though blood tests are not always helpful in diagnosing food allergies.
You might have a respiratory infection.
Persistent coughs can be related to an upper respiratory infection. These aren’t necessarily related to eating, but it’s possible you might notice this type of cough more after meals.
You might have a hoarse voice, fever, sore throat, and fatigue, too, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Usually, these infections clear up in a couple of weeks, but if they don’t, see your doctor.
You’re dealing with asthma.
This chronic lung condition brings symptoms like wheezing, chest tightness, and coughing. Sometimes, swallowing can lead to an asthma-related cough due to post-nasal drip or heartburn that irritates the larynx, research shows.
Some foods and drinks can trigger asthma symptoms, including a cough. These include items with sulfites, like wine, beer, pickled foods, and dried fruits and vegetables, according to the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America. Some food additives have the same effect.
It’s due to aspiration.
Foods and drinks going down the wrong pipe can lead to coughing, Dr. Cho says. This is known as aspiration and usually, you can clear your airway with no problems.
“That is an example of a one-off error, often when we’re eating quickly or trying to talk while eating,” Dr. Jennings says.
However, if you can’t clear bits of food from your lungs, it could lead to aspiration pneumonia, which causes coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and fatigue. Treatment may include antibiotics or the use of a ventilator, depending on how severe the case is.
You’re having trouble swallowing.
When you swallow liquids or solids, the back of your throat automatically goes through several steps to close off your airway and open your esophagus to let the food enter your digestive system and not go into your lungs, he explains.
“In some patients, if this swallowing mechanism is not working properly, little bits of what they are eating or drinking may accidentally go into the airway instead of into the esophagus,” Dr. Jennings explains. This will make you cough.
Another condition, known as dysphagia, could be to blame. Dysphagia causes difficulty swallowing or painful swallowing, and it can lead to coughing or gagging when you swallow. Acid reflux and GERD can sometimes cause the condition. It’s treated in a variety of ways, including exercises or surgery.
What to Do About Coughing After You Eat
If your cough after eating is a new symptom, it’s persistent or getting worse, and if the cough trigger originates from one particular area in the throat, make an appointment with a doctor, says Dr. Cho. Here’s why: You want to rule out any serious medical issues (including lung cancer) as soon as possible.
These tips might help, too, doctors say:
- Eat in an upright position
- Chew well
- Eat slowly and mindfully
- Take small bites
- Track foods or drinks that seem to make you cough
- Keep up with your treatments for allergies, GERD, and acid reflux
- Avoid lying down right after eating
“Sitting or standing for at least one to two hours after a meal will help keep food from backflowing into the esophagus and refluxing,” Dr. Schnoll-Sussman says.
