Cough after eating: the cause of the phenomenon and ways to eliminate the symptom

All materials on the site are published under the authorship or editorship of medical professionals, but are not a prescription for treatment. Contact the specialists!

After eating, a cough can occur for several reasons. You cannot treat such attacks negligently. They often indicate serious problems with the respiratory or gastrointestinal tract.

Coughing after eating: types of spasms

Sometimes patients come to the therapist with the complaint that a cough begins after eating. The reason may be different, so detailed diagnostics is indispensable. Cough after eating can be of different types; this must be taken into account when visiting a specialist:

• bronchospasm with sputum production - in adults and children it can appear during the period of inflammation of the lower and upper respiratory tract. During the absorption of food, a strong formation of mucus occurs, so a cough with phlegm is formed. It is possible that the cause was pneumonia;
• A dry cough is a symptom of food getting into the upper respiratory tract. If you do not pay attention to this condition, aspiration pneumonia may develop; Getting food into the respiratory tract is undesirable, since in 50% of cases it ends in respiratory arrest;
• bronchospasm with vomiting - this can occur in children and toddlers up to a year. An undeveloped digestive system provokes a gag reflex due to an overfilled stomach.

Coughing after eating is an unnatural phenomenon that requires immediate consultation with a specialist. In some cases, this is an alarming sign of esophageal valve stenosis or tumor formation.

Why does a cough occur after eating?

The disease can be treated only after receiving an accurate diagnosis. The causes of cough after eating can be different:

1. Gastroesophageal reflex disease (GERD) – it occurs due to decreased muscle tone in the area of ​​the esophageal ring. Because of this, food comes back. This reaction of the body should alert you. Coughing occurs within 15-20 minutes after eating. GERD disease requires competent therapy; if measures are not taken, complications with the stomach and other digestive organs may arise.
2. An attack after eating due to food entering the respiratory tract - often occurs in the elderly or in children. This is due to the fact that they have missing teeth and have trouble chewing. Large pieces of food enter the respiratory tract, causing bronchospasm. That is why you cannot have conversations during a meal.
3. Stomach ulcer – with this diagnosis, coughing after eating is not uncommon. At first, a person does not notice discomfort in the abdomen. Anxiety occurs when a spasm with vomiting occurs after a meal. When the first signs appear, you should contact a specialist - a gastroenterologist.
4. ARVI - bronchospasm occurs often in this case. Viral infections affect the mucous membranes of the respiratory system. Warm food or too cold food causes decomposition, which manifests itself as a sore throat or spasm.
5. Food allergy - an attack occurs due to exposure to allergens; irritation of the esophageal mucosa can occur due to nuts, honey, citrus fruits, blue cheese or alcoholic beverages. Remedies for a sore throat can help relieve discomfort, but there are cases where a person suffered from severe choking when taking prohibited foods.
6. Asthma is a disease that can occur in children and adults. A lot of unpleasant consequences can arise because of this. Therapy consists of prescribing special medications.

Causes and treatment of chronic cough

Asthma and allergies are dangerous diseases that can cause coughing after eating. The doctor will help you choose the medications necessary to get rid of the attacks.

Why does coughing after eating often occur in old age?

The respiratory system wears out over the years, like the entire body as a whole. Cough while eating in older people occurs due to age-related changes. Some pensioners are sure that mucus, spasms and asthma attacks occur due to illness. They begin to self-medicate, drinking cold remedies. However, there is no positive effect.

Age-related problems are easy to recognize if you know the symptoms:

• sputum is released in small quantities;
• spasm occurs not only after eating, but also after waking up in the morning;
• a clinical blood test shows that there is no inflammatory process in the body;
• the cougher does not experience pain in the throat or chest;
• In addition to a cough, the patient of retirement age does not experience an increase in temperature or other cold symptoms.

Removal of mucous secretions in old people through spasm is a natural process. Even if your throat is a little sore, you should not worry. Any therapist will confirm that there is nothing dangerous in this condition.

Lack of fluid can also trigger a spasm after eating. In old age, many people stop drinking enough water. Dehydration is unacceptable if you want your organs to function without interruption.

Treatment of cough after eating

At any age, coughing after eating can be bothersome. It won’t be difficult to find out the reasons if you contact a medical facility in a timely manner. Only a therapist or a highly specialized specialist can prescribe pharmaceutical drugs. Self-medication can cause other pathologies of the esophagus or respiratory system.

You should always consult a doctor in a timely manner. Therapy is prescribed only after an accurate diagnosis. Most often, you can see the following medications in a doctor's prescription:

1. Antihistamines - prescribed if allergies cause a sore throat or bronchospasm. The dosage is selected taking into account the patient's age. If you do not exclude the product that causes irritation from your diet, the therapy will not give the desired result. When it is difficult to understand what food such a reaction occurs to, then you need to go for a detailed analysis to find out exactly the reason.
2. Antacids are tablets or suspensions whose action is aimed at protecting the mucous walls of the stomach. Once in the esophagus, the drug coats the surface, relieving pain caused by spicy, smoked or too salty foods.
3. Drinking the right amount of fluid - such recommendations are given to everyone who has noticed severe drying of the skin. Water is a vital product in the diet of any person. In old age, it is extremely important to drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day so as not to disrupt the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

Cough after eating with or without sputum can also be treated with medications that are anti-inflammatory and mucolytic in nature. Of course, this appointment is made when the problem has arisen due to a cold. In this case, you will also experience a runny nose, headache and fever.

Preventive measures

Many people prefer to use folk recipes. But we must not forget that a spasm after eating could arise due to problems with the gastrointestinal tract. In this case, decoctions and tinctures can only harm the stomach. In any case, you need to contact a specialist. After studying all the symptoms and taking tests, competent therapy will be selected.

What can you do to avoid coughing after a meal? Therapists give advice:

1. You should not load your stomach before bed. Dinner should be no later than five hours before rest. You need to eat in small portions.
2. You should avoid spicy food if, after eating it, you feel that the mucous membranes of the throat are suffering. Soreness and discomfort during swallowing are the first signs that certain foods are not suitable for a person.
3. Excess body weight often causes cramps after eating and shortness of breath. It is necessary to keep your body in shape so that your organs function properly.
4. Allergens must be strictly excluded from the diet. Negligence can lead to suffocation.
5. Smoking can also cause discomfort while eating. If your throat is sore, you need to give up nicotine.

Bronchospasm cannot occur without a reason. If a person cannot independently listen to the alarming symptoms of the body, then he needs to see a doctor. At the appointment, a thorough examination will be carried out and therapy will be prescribed. This is the only way to avoid negative consequences - stomach ulcers, tumors in the esophagus, pathologies in the respiratory system, chronic diseases and asthma.

What to do if you cough and have bloody sputum

Attention! We are not a “clinic” and have no interest in providing medical services to readers. We also remind you that it is impossible to prescribe safe treatment “on the Internet” without an in-person appointment! All recommendations are indicative only. Contact specialists.

Source: https://sukhoikashel.ru/vidy-kashlya/kashel-posle-edy

Causes of cough after eating and diagnostic methods

Cough in medical science and practice is defined as a typical reaction of the body to the penetration of pathogenic irritants and foreign bodies into the lower respiratory tract that are dangerous to life and health.

These, from the point of view of the body, can be sputum, food particles, and other objects. Sometimes the reflex process can be false, provoked by a pathogenic reaction of the body to the influence of external and internal, endogenous factors.

In this case, the cough not only does not help the body, but also significantly bothers the person.

Reflex contraction of the tissues of the lower respiratory tract and muscles often occurs after eating. There are many reasons for this. It is important to note that according to medical statistics, such a manifestation occurs in approximately every tenth person in the population. This is an extremely common occurrence. What do you need to know about him?

All factors in the development of cough after eating can be divided into two large groups. The first is pathological reasons. This includes the following diseases and conditions:

• GERD or reflux esophagitis. 

It is a pathological condition in which reflux of gastrointestinal contents into the lumen of the esophagus occurs due to a weak esophageal sphincter. Distant reflux of gastric juice and particles of undigested food, reaching the lower respiratory tract, is possible. Partial aspiration occurs: the reflux of gastric contents into the bronchi and lungs.

As a rule, such refluxes are observed with belching and are accompanied by intense heartburn. In order to get rid of such an unpleasant “neighborhood,” the body initiates a cough reflex.

This is a matter of survival, so the body's response can be extremely intense. GERD is very often confused with gastritis in its pure form, which is completely wrong. These are different diseases.

Differential diagnosis is required.

• Gastritis with increased acidity of gastric juice.

The mechanism of formation of the cough reflex is generally similar to the previous described case. As before, reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus and lower respiratory tract is observed, but with gastritis, symptoms intensify at night.

That is, coughing attacks are observed several hours after eating. Thus, the patient cannot always connect one with the other. This makes diagnosis difficult. Mandatory FGDS or similar informative studies are required.

• Allergic reactions to food products.

Allergies are a real scourge of modern humanity. During the reaction, the body produces a huge amount of histamine, which destroys cells at a local or generalized level, causing itching, coughing, sneezing, and other symptoms. The immunological response occurs a few minutes to tens of minutes after taking the allergenic product.

The cough in this case is especially intense, accompanied by shortness of breath, suffocation, and chest pain. In particularly difficult cases, anaphylactic shock with subsequent death is possible.

It is a chronic infectious, inflammatory or allergic disease, during which severe obstruction occurs (narrowing of the lumen of the bronchi). This is a potentially incurable disease that can cause death in the patient. Systematic therapy is required. The problem is that identifying the asthmatic process is not an easy task.

• Infectious and inflammatory process. 

In this case, there is no direct connection between cough and food intake. There is damage to the lower respiratory tract by viral or bacterial agents. Often we are talking about secondary involvement in the pathological process of the organs of the upper respiratory tract: the nasopharynx and throat. Food irritates these anatomical structures and an intense cough occurs.

Everyone who has suffered from a cold at least once in their life has encountered a similar condition. Urgent treatment is required to prevent pneumonia or other diseases caused by the “descent” of bacteria and viruses into the lower respiratory tract.

• If a cough begins after eating, we may be talking about food entering the lower respiratory tract in different quantities. This human anatomical structure is designed in such a way that upon penetration of a foreign object, the ciliated epithelium reacts immediately, provoking a strong cough reflex.
• Congestive heart failure.

Finally, the second group of reasons concerns natural, non-pathological factors in the formation of the problem. The most common food consumption is spices and hot seasonings. They irritate the esophagus, causing a false cough reflex.

Dry cough reflex

Most often develops due to the following diseases and conditions:

• Gastritis.
• Allergic reactions. 

A dry cough after eating can also be caused by eating spicy foods. 

Cough with phlegm

Cough after eating with sputum develops for the following reasons:

• Bronchial asthma.
• GERD.
• Immunological responses of the body (the reflex in each specific case has its own character).
• Infectious processes in an advanced stage, etc.
• Heart failure with a congestive component.

A wet cough after eating occurs as a consequence of these diseases. Although this is not axiomatic.

Associated symptoms

You can suspect a particular pathology or condition not only by carrying out the appropriate diagnosis, although this is the most accurate way. It is also necessary to navigate the symptoms.

Among the most common are:

• Shortness of breath. Represents an increase in the number of respiratory movements per minute. It intensifies with physical activity and remains in a state of complete rest.
• Suffocation. Develops as a result of intense obstruction of the lower respiratory tract and primarily bronchopulmonary structures. As soon as the bronchi narrow, the lumen becomes smaller, and therefore not enough air comes in. Gas exchange is disrupted, the person begins to choke. This is an extremely dangerous condition that can lead to death.
• Heartburn. An unpleasant burning sensation localized in the throat and chest. Caused by the release of a small amount of stomach acid with particles of undigested food outside the stomach. This is usually due to weakness of the gastric sphincter.  
• Belching. Emission of gases from the stomach. Problems with this hollow organ are easily recognized. Diseases of the digestive tract are accompanied by a sour smell of belching, or it may take on the “aroma” of rotten eggs, which indicates intense production of hydrogen sulfide.
• Heaviness in the epigastric region. Most often accompanies pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Refluxes. Emissions of the contents of the digestive organs beyond the anatomical limits. Dangerous due to possible asphyxia and death.

There may also be other signs not discussed here, such as problems with cardiac activity, etc.

Diagnostics

Pulmonologists diagnose coughs. However, due to the multiplicity of probable causes of the symptom in question, consultation with a gastroenterologist, allergist, cardiologist, or ENT doctor may be required. At the initial appointment, complaints are assessed and anamnesis is collected.

Next comes the turn of objective research:

• Chest X-ray to rule out problems with the lungs and bronchi.
• FGDS, radiography of the stomach, in order to assess the condition of the digestive tract and its initial sections.
• Immunological studies and stress tests aimed at identifying allergies.
• Spirography.
• Cardiography.

And some other research. It is important to identify the root cause of the cough.

Treatment

First of all, it should be aimed at eliminating the main factor that brings the reflex to life. Symptomatic therapy involves the use of antitussive drugs of peripheral and central action. Specific names are selected by a medical specialist.

Coughing after eating is a common symptom, the cause of which is not easy to identify. Careful diagnosis and timely treatment are required. This will quickly relieve the patient from discomfort, and possibly from major health problems.

Heartburn Gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD Barrett's esophagus Gastroenterologist Tatya Osipova

Source: https://pneumoniae.net/kashel-posle-edy/

Why does a cough appear after eating and how to treat it?

Coughing after eating is a phenomenon that cannot be ignored. In this way, the human body tries to protect itself from pathological stimuli.

Frequent forced exhalations can be a symptom of potentially dangerous diseases. If, apart from the cough, nothing else bothers you, it’s still time to sort out your “inner world.”

Correctly identifying the source of unpleasant discomfort is the first step towards eliminating it.

Why does a cough start after eating?

Cough after eating begins due to irritation of special sensitive formations located along the respiratory tract, in the reflexogenic zones of the outer ear, nasal sinuses, esophagus, diaphragm, pericarditis. The signal to stimulate the receptors is transmitted along nerve fibers to the brain. The response impulse is a contraction of the muscles of the hollow organs responsible for the passage of air.

The nature of the cough and accompanying signs will help determine the culprit of the atypical phenomenon.

Foreign body

The leading cause of cough after eating is the penetration of unchewed food fragments or foreign objects into the respiratory tract.

An absurd incident happens when you inhale while quickly eating food, laughing and having an emotional conversation at the table. With the help of the cough reflex, the body tries to clear the air system.

If this fails, the victim experiences increasing suffocation.

Inappropriate food

The most trivial cough provocateurs are natural and artificial taste enhancers. A child’s biological receptors are very sensitive, so they react sharply, even to small amounts of spices and food additives. Allergy after food flavored with inappropriate ingredients manifests itself in the form of a dry cough, watery eyes, runny nose, and throat spasm.

Pharyngitis

The colonization of viruses, bacteria, exposure to allergens, chemical and traumatic lesions of the pharyngeal mucosa lead to the development of different types of pharyngitis. In the acute stage of the disease, general health deteriorates, the throat gets sore, and the lymph nodes become enlarged.

Even small pieces of food falling on inflamed tissues cause irritation. When it becomes chronic, pharyngitis is practically asymptomatic. But the thinned, hypertrophied mucosa serves as a source of dry, hysterical cough after eating.

“Clearing the throat” is accompanied by the release of sputum – mucus that has accumulated on the back wall of the throat.

Dysphagia

Dysphagia is the painful sensations that a person experiences during the process of absorbing food and its movement through the esophagus. Doctors consider it as a symptom of current diseases and nervous disorders.

It can be episodic in nature, or appear regularly in combination with pain and choking when swallowing, a feeling of a “lump” stuck behind the sternum, hoarseness, and increased salivation. Attempts to absorb solid, and more often liquid, food provoke a cough after eating.

During reflex exhalation, the contents intended for the stomach are expelled through the mouth or nasal cavity.

GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux - the movement of stomach contents in the opposite direction is considered a physiological norm, while it occurs with rare exceptions. With frequent emissions under the influence of acidic gastric juice, the lower sphincter, a closed muscle formation located on the border of the esophagus and stomach, becomes inflamed.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease develops - the weakened walls of the sphincter, which should only work at the entrance, open, throwing the food bolus into the esophagus. A few minutes after eating, a cough, shortness of breath, heartburn, and belching with a sour taste appear.

Important! Every tenth patient subsequently diagnosed with GERD initially complains only of a cough after eating. Hidden pathology increases the risk of developing severe complications.

Nutritional bronchial asthma

Chronic inflammation of the airways caused by an allergic reaction. As the disease progresses, it leads to hyperactivity of the bronchi, thickening of their walls, and excessive mucus production.

When a food allergen enters the body, the patency of the bronchial tree is immediately disrupted. Shortness of breath begins: inhalations become short, noisy whistling exhalations become prolonged.

Arrhythmic breathing is caused by a cough after eating with sputum that is difficult to expectorate.

Other reasons

Various reasons can cause a person to go into coughing fits after eating with phlegm:

1. respiratory infections;
2. inflammatory diseases of the nasopharynx and respiratory organs;
3. postnasal drip;
4. dysbacteriosis;
5. malignant neoplasms in the respiratory system;
6. emphysema;
7. worm infection.

Dry cough is provoked by: a recurrent form of gastritis, dehydration of the mucous epithelium lining the cavity of the nasopharynx and respiratory tract, dry food.

The cough reflex after eating in infants is caused by: an uncomfortable feeding position, excessive milk production, and improper latching on the breast by the baby.

Important! In some cases, obvious reasons for the occurrence of chronic cough after eating cannot be identified. Presumably, the anomaly is explained by the increased sensitivity of the pneumatic system.

Possible complications

Whether it is a severe cough or a rare cough after eating, the phenomenon cannot be ignored. If the cause of the pathological deviation is not eliminated, significant damage will be caused to human health.

• Penetration of food lumps “down the wrong throat” is fraught with aspiration pneumonia, esophagitis, and asphyxia.
• With pharyngitis, nearby organs are involved in the inflammatory process, giving rise to laryngitis, tracheitis, and peritonsillar abscess.
• GERD contributes to the development of bleeding ulcers and malignant epithelial tumors of the esophagus.
• Asthma is complicated by pulmonary emphysema and cardiopulmonary failure.

First aid

If a person has pronounced signs of asphyxia when swallowing a foreign object and moving it into the airway system, emergency assistance must be provided without delay:

• tilt the victim’s torso forward;
• With the inner side of the open hand, make 5-6 blows to the interscapular space.

If the actions are unsuccessful, try another method:

• give the victim an upright position;
• from the back, clasp your torso with your hands, fastened together, under the lower part of the sternum;
• quickly press on the area located under the diaphragm, while simultaneously hitting the victim’s back with your chest.

Similar rescue options are used until the person loses consciousness.

Methods for diagnosing such a cough

In order to correctly differentiate the pathogenetic factor that contributes to the appearance of cough after eating, the following diagnostic measures are carried out:

• blood sampling for general and biochemical analysis;
• laboratory examination of sputum;
• X-ray of the chest and esophagus;
• gastroscopy;
• electromyography;
• Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity;
• spirometry;
• study of immune status.

Diagnostic bronchoscopy is performed according to indications.

How to treat a cough after eating

Most often, obsessive coughing attacks after eating indicate the development of pathological changes in the functional structures of the body. All therapeutic measures should first of all be aimed at eliminating the underlying disease.

Important! The treatment regimen and regimen is selected by the doctor, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient (gender, age, presence of concomitant diseases and contraindications).

But rely on the doctors, and don’t make a mistake yourself. To help yourself, your loved one needs:

1. switch to fractional balanced meals;
2. drink enough fluid;
3. in case of increased acidity, add 250 ml of mineral water to the daily diet;
4. give up alcohol and smoking.

The proper functioning of the respiratory tract depends on the amount of oxygen supplied. Fresh air and dosed physical activity will stimulate the entire biological system.

Do I need to see a doctor, if so, which one?

Any deviation from the norm requires detailed study. It never hurts to share responsibility for your health with a qualified specialist. Diagnoses and treats diseases that manifest themselves as cough after eating:

• gastroenterologist;
• pulmonologist;
• otolaryngologist;
• neurologist.

For initial treatment, you can make an appointment with a therapist or general practitioner. The doctor will collect the necessary diagnostic information and redirect you to a specialized specialist.

Conclusion

According to doctors, the biggest problem in the treatment of many diseases is the patient’s late presentation. Trying to eliminate the cough reflex after eating with improvised means, people forget that they are only fighting a symptom. Sooner or later, the pathology will manifest itself in the thermal stage, when even recognized drugs may be ineffective.

Source: https://MyKashel.ru/lechenie/kashel-posle-edy.html

Cough after eating: causes, diagnosis, treatment

Coughing is a protective reflex that occurs when the respiratory tract is irritated. Most often, dry coughs are diagnosed, which can gradually turn into wet coughs. Coughing after eating is quite common and has many causes. To help the patient, it is important to determine the factor that triggered the symptom.

Causes

There are many reasons for developing a cough after eating. Some of them are related to the food consumed. More often, coughing occurs when eating spicy, sour foods. Dishes with a lot of spices provoke throat irritation. Children have a stronger reaction to such food than adults.

A cough may also occur due to the patient choking. This is possible if a person:

• eats quickly, chewing food poorly;
• eats food in a horizontal position, movement;
• talking or distracted from eating.

Small food particles enter the respiratory tract. The body tries to get rid of them, which leads to coughing.

Often, a cough occurs due to dehydration caused by eating dry food. When there is a lack of fluid, the mucous membranes dry out.

When coughing up due to dehydration, people often complain of dry mouth.

Distraction from food

Pathological causes

Also, cough after eating in a child and an adult can occur against the background of the development of various pathologies:

1. Intestinal infections. With gastrointestinal pathology caused by adeno- and enteroviruses, pathogenic microorganisms can penetrate the respiratory system. Against this background, there is a dry cough, which may intensify after eating.
2. Allergy. When in contact with allergens, coughing occurs quite often, especially for food allergies.
3. Bronchial asthma. Paroxysmal cough is a constant companion of this disease. Coughing may be accompanied by shortness of breath. Most often, coughing attacks occur at night and in the morning, but they can also occur during the day.
4. Diseases of the ENT organs. With inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, any irritant, including food, can trigger coughing.
5. Gastritis. Dry coughs are most often diagnosed, especially in the chronic form of the disease. If the disease is advanced, then the muscle ring that allows food to enter the stomach begins to weaken. As a result, gastric juice begins to flow into the esophagus, which provokes coughing, accompanied by soreness. Eating further aggravates the patient's condition and the symptoms become more intense. Often attacks of coughing are accompanied by nausea and vomiting. This type of cough is often called a stomach cough.
6. Worm infestation. If helminths live in the human body, then there is a risk that the parasite larvae will enter the larynx. The larvae secrete toxic substances that provoke the development of an inflammatory process in the larynx. Because of this, when eating, a person may experience coughing, which is accompanied by excessive sputum production.
7. Dysbacteriosis. The chronic form of the pathology is considered dangerous, against the background of which a fungal infection of the throat is possible. In this case, cough can occur due to any irritant, including pieces of food.
8. Congestive heart failure. A cardiac cough may occur during or immediately after eating. Most often diagnosed in older people.
9. Dysphagia. If the swallowing process is disrupted, food can enter the respiratory tract, as a result of which the patient begins to cough. In addition to coughing, you may experience a sore throat.

Bronchial asthma

Causes of cough after feeding in infants

Infants are also susceptible to coughing after eating. As a rule, they have a nonproductive cough without sputum discharge. There are several factors for the appearance of symptoms:

1. Belching. Often, babies will begin to cough before burping the trapped air that has accumulated due to rapid sucking.
2. Excessive milk production. If the mother has too much milk and it comes out quickly, the baby will not have time to swallow and may cough.
3. Incorrect feeding position. If the baby lies uncomfortably, milk may enter the nasopharynx and the baby will begin to cough.

Associated symptoms

If a cough occurs after eating, other signs are diagnosed:

1. Heartburn. More often it occurs when gastric contents and undigested pieces of food are thrown into the esophagus. It manifests itself as a burning sensation localized in the chest and throat area.
2. Dyspnea. Appears in asthma, disturbances in the functionality of the heart muscle. In this case, frequent inhalations and exhalations are observed. Breathing is shallow, breaths are shallow.
3. Suffocation. Occurs when a foreign body (food particles) enters the respiratory tract. The patient cannot breathe normally and begins to turn blue. The patient is in danger and needs first aid.
4. Belching. This symptom indicates the development of diseases of the digestive system. Belched gases may taste sour and smell like rotten eggs.
5. Heaviness in the epigastric area. Occurs with pathologies of the digestive system. May be accompanied by dull pain.

Heartburn

What type of cough occurs after eating?

The cause of a cough after eating can be determined by its shape. Most often, dry and wet coughing with sputum production is diagnosed. Sometimes children are diagnosed with cough with vomiting.

Dry

Most often, dry coughing that appears after eating food signals the entry of food particles into the respiratory tract. If this happens once, you need to provide first aid to the victim. If symptoms appear systematically, you need to check the condition of the epiglottis and oral muscles.

Wet

The occurrence of wet coughing with sputum production signals the development of respiratory pathologies. After eating, food particles and gastric contents are thrown into the respiratory tract. The bronchi try to get rid of foreign bodies by coughing. Reflex reflux of sputum can be observed in the following diseases:

• bronchial asthma;
• emphysema;
• bronchitis;
• tracheitis;
• pneumonia;
• COPD

Also, a wet cough after eating can occur in heavy smokers.

Cough with vomiting

If within 15 minutes after eating the patient has a cough, accompanied by nausea and vomiting, this indicates the development of pathologies of the digestive system:

• fusion of the lumen of the esophagus;
• tumor formation in the gastrointestinal tract;
• GERD.

If a cough with vomiting occurs 1.5–2 hours after eating, this indicates a disturbance in the functionality of the stomach. Such coughing is accompanied by heartburn and belching with a sour taste.

Vomit

Complications

If coughing is caused by GERD, then lack of treatment can lead to the development of stomach ulcers. Treating such a pathology is quite difficult and takes a long time.

Bronchial asthma itself is a dangerous disease and, if left untreated, frequent attacks of suffocation will occur, which threaten oxygen starvation, and as a result, the death of brain cells.

If food particles and gastric contents enter the lungs, there is a risk of developing infectious pneumonia. If left untreated, the risk of developing meningitis, edema and gangrene of the lungs increases.

Diagnostic measures

Often people do not know which doctor to go to when a similar problem arises. Pulmonologists diagnose and treat coughs. However, due to the large number of factors that provoke the development of symptoms, the patient will need consultation with other specialists:

• gastroenterologist;
• cardiologist;
• Laura;
• allergist.

At the appointment, the doctor interviews and examines the patient. This is necessary to compile an anamnesis of the patient’s life and determine the features of the onset of the symptom. The doctor may also prescribe additional research methods:

• UAC and OAM;
• Chest x-ray - allows you to exclude or, conversely, diagnose pathologies of the respiratory system;
• FGDS and x-ray of the stomach - allow you to check the condition of the organs of the digestive system;
• allergy tests - prescribed if the development of allergies is suspected;
• spirography;
• Cardiography - performed as prescribed by a cardiologist if heart disease is suspected.

FGDS

Treatment

The method of treating cough depends on what factor triggered its occurrence. The age of the patient is also important.

Foreign body

First aid methods for adults and children are different. In case of emergency assistance, an adult needs to stand behind the patient and wrap his arms around his upper abdomen. In this case, you need to press with your palms. How to correctly get rid of a foreign body you need to make 5-10 movements. If the patient loses consciousness, cardiopulmonary resuscitation must be performed.

If a child chokes on food, the baby should be placed on your lap with his stomach down so that his head hangs slightly. Next you need to make pushing movements, intensely pressing on the area between the shoulder blades. It is important not to overdo it with force, as you can damage the child's spine.

According to information from WHO, if a person has choked, slapping him on the back is prohibited, since this can aggravate the patient's condition.

GERD

This disease requires long-term treatment. The goal of therapy is to normalize the process of food passing through the esophagus and stop inflammation. To do this, the patient is prescribed complex treatment using drugs from several groups:

• antacids - Almagel, Phosphalugel;
• prokinetics (prescribed if the patient is bothered by attacks of nausea) - Motillium, Cerucal;
• antisecretory - Omez, Ranitidine.

It is also important to follow some recommendations:

• sleep with your head higher than your feet;
• adhere to the diet prescribed by your doctor;
• have dinner no later than 4 hours before going to bed;
• do not take a horizontal position immediately after eating;
• do not bend forward sharply;
• wear clothes that do not pinch the stomach;
• to refuse from bad habits.

Diet

Bronchial asthma

Treatment for bronchial asthma is prescribed individually, depending on the general condition of the patient and the form of the pathology. However, there are a number of recommendations that all patients must follow:

• adhere to a healthy lifestyle;
• give up bad habits (smoking, drinking alcohol and drugs);
• exclude the use of foods that are allergens (canned food, spices, cocoa and its derivatives, pickles, citrus fruits);
• perform breathing exercises regularly;
• if an attack of suffocation occurs, use a medicine inhaler prescribed by a doctor;
• take medications that prevent the narrowing of the bronchi (Theophylline, Teopek);
• if the patient suffers from a severe form of the disease, he needs to use glucocorticoid hormones prescribed by the doctor.

If you have a cough after eating, there is no need to panic. You need to seek medical help at a clinic at your place of residence or call a doctor at home. The specialist will determine the cause of the unpleasant symptom and select the appropriate treatment method.

Source: https://kashlynet.ru/prichiny/kashel-posle-edy/

Cough after eating: causes, symptoms and diagnosis, how and what is the best treatment

Coughing is a reflex that clears the airways of mucus or foreign bodies. Cough attacks often occur after eating, although the person feels healthy.

If a cough occurs regularly after eating and becomes a habitual end to a meal, you should consult a doctor.

There are many reasons for the appearance of cough syndrome immediately after eating; it is necessary to carry out diagnosis and treatment in time so as not to trigger dangerous pathologies.

Main reasons

Numerous causes of coughing attacks after eating can be divided into 3 main groups:

• quality and composition of products;
• features of consumption, chewing;
• condition and pathologies of the body.

Having understood the reasons that lead to the occurrence of the syndrome immediately after eating, you can decide on methods for eliminating cough. Let's take a closer look at the provocateurs of cough attacks.

Food

Food contains natural and synthetic acids and spices that irritate the mucous membranes of the larynx and esophagus. Spicy, salty, sour foods cause itching and soreness, causing a cough. Carbonated sugary drinks can cause the same reaction.

The habit of eating quickly and chewing food poorly is another likely cause of cough. Large pieces put pressure on the larynx, leading to the formation of minor injuries on the epithelium. After eating, there remains a feeling of a foreign body in the throat, the desire to get rid of it leads to coughing.

Aspiration

Penetration of stomach contents into the esophagus (aspiration), and then into the respiratory organs, occurs with reflux, due to weakening of the muscle ring. Foreign bodies in the respiratory tract lead to coughing. Attacks usually start 5-10 minutes after eating. The esophagus is exposed to an acidic environment, which is dangerous for the mucous membranes and requires serious treatment.

Viral infections

Respiratory tract infections of viral and bacterial origin lead to swelling of the larynx. When food passes, the throat becomes irritated and reacts to hot, cold, even well-chewed foods. In respiratory diseases, cough begins during eating and continues after eating due to irritated mucous membranes.

Allergic reaction

A common cause of cough after eating is intolerance to certain foods or allergies. Signs of sensitization appear 5-40 minutes after exposure to the allergen. Cough after eating occurs due to swelling of the mucous membranes and the resulting narrowing of the airways.

Asthma

In asthma, coughing attacks due to bronchospasm can develop at any time, including after eating. The vagus nerve, located near the esophagus, stimulates increased activity of the bronchi, leading to spasm and the development of coughing attacks.

ENT

In diseases of the ENT organs, inflammation causes increased sensitivity of the mucous membranes. It is recommended to avoid hot, spicy and cold foods. Even neutral food leads to unpleasant sensations in the mouth and larynx, and provokes coughing attacks during and after meals.

Gastritis

Gastric coughing with gastritis often occurs if the patient takes a horizontal position. It is caused by the release of hydrochloric acid into the esophagus. Often accompanied by heartburn and belching.

Helminths

If there are parasites in the body, larvae and adults can penetrate the respiratory organs. They mechanically irritate the bronchi and trachea, and the body’s immune reactions also develop. The cough may get worse after eating.

Children especially often suffer from this type of cough.

Mental stress

Psychogenic stress disrupts digestive functions and respiratory function. The consequence of mental instability is incoordination of swallowing and breathing actions. Because of this, the cough begins while eating and continues after eating.

Dehydration

Lack of water in the body, dehydration causes multiple dysfunctions, including the functioning of the digestive system. Dehydration is a common cause of cough after eating in older adults.

Increased intra-abdominal pressure

An increase in pressure inside the peritoneum leads to compression of organs and disruption of their natural functioning. This pathology is characterized by nausea and bloating, which can cause coughing attacks.

Poor blood supply to the respiratory organs, stagnation of blood in the bronchi and lungs lead to the development of a cardiac cough, which may intensify after eating.

Foreign body in the respiratory tract

Haste when eating, poor chewing of food, swallowing large portions, talking, laughing often lead to food particles getting into the respiratory tract. Coughing in this case is the body’s natural need to get rid of a foreign body. Even after a piece of food comes out, the mucous membrane remains damaged, and a coughing attack may not subside for a long time after eating.

If a person is choking, suffocating, the face turns blue, the cough does not help, outside help is required. To remove a foreign body, the Heimlich (Heimlich) method is used.

Heimlich maneuver in adults

If the person is able to stand:

• stand behind the victim, clasping him with your hands between the navel and ribs and slightly tilting him forward;
• the hand is clenched into a fist, the thumb is directed to the stomach, the second hand clasps the fist;
• With sharp thrusts, move your hands into the victim’s stomach and up at the same time.

The pushes are performed until the foreign body jumps out and the person begins to breathe calmly.

If the victim is unconscious:

• lay on your back;
• sit astride the victim, position yourself below the stomach, turning towards the head;
• press on the epigastric region in an upward direction with brushes stacked on top of each other until a piece of food comes out.

Timely assistance will help save a person from death from suffocation.

Important: when a person is choking, traditional patting of a sitting or standing victim between the shoulder blades can lead to the passage of a foreign body lower into the respiratory tract.

Heimlich maneuver in children

If a small child is choking, he is placed on his tummy face down on his arm or thigh. The body should be positioned upside down with a large inclination. Support your chin with your hand. The back is struck with fingers several times until liquid or solid food comes out of the mouth.

For children over one year old, the Heimlich method is used in the same way as for adults. You need to press on the epigastric region not with your fist, but with the top of your hand, controlling the force of pressure.

What could it be

Regular cough after eating is provoked by certain reasons that lead to constant irritation of the epithelium, mucus production and the development of immune system reactions. Inflamed and swollen mucous membranes serve as a breeding ground for infections. Cough can have a different character, depending on the causes and pathologies.

Dry

A nonproductive cough occurs due to mechanical damage to the mucous membranes and allergic reactions. It is debilitating and does not provide relief. The throat is injured during attacks, the lack of softening secretion leads to vomiting and suffocation.

A dry cough also torments when mucus accumulates, thickens, but cannot come out.

Wet

A productive or wet cough accompanies infectious diseases of the ENT organs. With inflammation of the nasopharynx, mucus from the nose after eating, due to warm food and general heating of the body, flows down the back of the larynx, causing a wet cough.

With sputum

Abundant secretion of sputum is recorded during reflux - the contents of the stomach irritate the esophagus and respiratory tract, and the bronchi begin to produce mucus. A person wants to cough to get rid of the burning sensation and excess phlegm. The desire increases in the lying position due to the penetration of food into the respiratory tract.

Associated symptoms

Symptoms accompanying coughing attacks help doctors identify the causes of coughing and identify the disease.

Heartburn

The release of hydrochloric acid into the esophagus, which is felt as heartburn, occurs with gastroesophageal reflux. The patient will need the help of a gastroenterologist.

Dyspnea

Disruption of natural breathing rhythms, shortness of breath is present in heart failure, allergy attacks, and asthma.

Suffocation

With excess sputum, bronchospasms due to asthma, aspiration of gastric masses, attacks of suffocation that are dangerous for the patient can be recorded. If help is not given in a timely manner, the patient may lose consciousness or die from the inability to breathe.

Belching

An unpleasant taste of rotten eggs in the mouth and acid belching indicate gastrointestinal problems. Frequent belching can occur when you overeat and eat too quickly.

Heaviness in the chest

Pain and heaviness behind the sternum in the region of the heart, radiating to the back between the shoulder blades, is recorded in gastrointestinal pathologies and cardiac disorders.

Diagnostics

The patient is referred to an appointment with a therapist or pulmonologist. The scope of diagnostic tests is selected according to the nature of the accompanying symptoms. Usually carried out:

• blood tests to detect inflammation;
• background examination of sputum from the throat;
• fluorography;
• X-ray of the chest, esophagus;
• FGDS;
• spirography;
• cardiography.

The patient is sent to specialized specialists - an immunologist-allergist, a cardiologist, a gastroenterologist, who select additional research methods depending on the problems found.

Elderly patients should visit a gerontologist to adjust their daily and dietary regimen.

Treatment

Treatment measures are selected after diagnosis and are aimed at eliminating the underlying disease. Symptomatic treatment of cough in serious diseases does not eliminate the syndrome; it is used to alleviate the patient’s condition during severe cough attacks after eating.

Medicines

Drugs are selected according to the diagnosed disease:

1. For gastrointestinal problems - drugs that control the production of gastric juice after meals (antacids), improve motility, gastroprotectors, sorbents. Omez, Gaviscon, Almagel, Smecta, Maalox.
2. For allergies - antihistamines, sorbents.
3. For infectious and inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract - antibacterial and antiviral drugs. Anti-inflammatory and cough medications are also prescribed - mucolytics, expectorants.
4. For asthma - bronchodilators to eliminate spastic attacks in the bronchi.

For a dry cough, Stoptussin and Codelac may be prescribed. Mucolytic and expectorant medications are used to liquefy and evacuate mucus.

Folk remedies

Home methods are used as auxiliary methods in therapy. They help treat the underlying disease, relieve symptoms, and alleviate the condition.

Flax seeds

Used in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux . Flax seeds normalize digestive processes by coating the gastric walls, relieving inflammation and weakening the effects of hydrochloric acid.

Kalina

Viburnum fruits have an antitussive, expectorant effect and calm the nervous system. Used for allergic and asthmatic attacks of cough and colds.

Sage, chamomile, eucalyptus

The collection of medicinal plants is used for inflammation of the mucous membranes of the throat. The decoction has an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, expectorant effect, and relieves swelling.

Thyme, violet

Infusions of thyme and violet help reduce cough attacks in acute and chronic bronchitis. They have a bronchodilator, decongestant, and expectorant effect. Herbs are antispasmodics and have an antibacterial and tonic effect.

Important: taking medicinal herbs must be agreed with your doctor, as they have contraindications and side effects.

When to see a doctor

If coughing attacks after eating are not episodic, but constant, you should consult a doctor. You should first normalize your diet, avoid spicy, salty foods, and drink enough fluids.

Simple prevention can bear fruit - coughing attacks will end. If the symptoms do not go away, there is belching after eating, heaviness, pain in the chest, you should not hesitate to visit a doctor.

Possible complications

Coughing attacks after eating can be accompanied by various pathologies. If not treated promptly, they can lead to serious complications:

• foreign bodies that are not removed can cause purulent inflammation, pneumonia, and respiratory dysfunction;
• with reflux – gastric ulcer, pancreatitis, intestinal inflammation;
• infectious inflammation of the respiratory tract can become chronic and lead to pneumonia;
• in bronchial asthma - pneumothorax, loss of consciousness, fatal respiratory dysfunction;
• for allergies - sensitization of the body, Quincke's edema.

Constant irritation of the throat when coughing leads to a weakening of the protective forces of the mucous membranes, the addition of infections, and a drop in general immunity.

Prevention

In order not to provoke the development of cough attacks after a meal, you must:

• eat only in a sitting position, do not grab pieces while walking or lying in front of the TV;
• eat, chewing food thoroughly, in small portions;
• do not overeat;
• do not talk while eating;
• Avoid foods that irritate the mucous membranes - spicy, bitter, highly carbonated drinks.

All diseases must be treated on time, including teeth - they help to chew food thoroughly.

Prevention helps ease digestion and respiratory functions in minor disorders. Serious pathologies require treatment and advice from medical specialists. You should not postpone a visit to the doctor if you have constant coughing attacks after eating - this will avoid complications and prevent the development of serious diseases.

Author of the article: Dima

Source: https://VipLor.ru/kashel/posle-edy