CAUSES OF COUGH AFTER EATING
There are many factors that may lead to a cough after eating, including:
1- Acid Reflux
Acid reflux is defined as the reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus and possibly into the throat due to the relaxation of the sphincter between the esophagus and stomach sometimes; Which leads to irritation of the esophagus and throat and the occurrence of coughing immediately after eating.
Other acid reflux symptoms include:
- Sore throat.
- Feeling of a sour or bitter taste in the throat and mouth.
- A burning sensation in the chest or stomach acid.
It should be noted that acid reflux is common during pregnancy due to hormonal changes and pressure on the stomach as a result of the growing fetus; Which may lead to the occurrence of cough after eating for the pregnant woman and a feeling of heartburn.
2- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is chronic, severe acid reflux caused by a relaxed or weak sphincter muscle, with frequent coughing and increased coughing after eating.
Other symptoms of GERD include:
- Acid reflux at least twice a week.
- Frequent nausea or vomiting.
- burp.
- Difficulty swallowing.
- wheezing in the chest.
3- Laryngopharyngeal Reflux
Laryngopharyngeal reflux, also known as silent reflux, is a type of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) caused by acid refluxing into the esophagus and into the larynx and possibly the nose.
Coughing in reflux is not limited to coughing after eating, but may also occur upon waking, talking, or laughing.
Other symptoms of laryngopharyngeal reflux include:
- The need to hem constantly.
- Posterior Nasal Drip.
Untreated laryngopharyngeal reflux disease may cause voice disorders or sore throats.
4- Aspiration Pneumonia
Aspiration or aspiration pneumonia occurs when small particles of fluid or food are inhaled while eating and the body is unable to remove them completely; This causes these particles to remain in the lung and the bacteria in the food to grow, causing pneumonia. It should be noted that acid reflux is a risk factor for aspiration pneumonia.
Symptoms of aspiration pneumonia include:
- Coughing after eating, and it may be accompanied by sputum or wheezing.
- Difficulty swallowing and shortness of breath.
- general fatigue
- Fever.
You should see your doctor when any of these symptoms appear, as aspiration pneumonia may cause serious complications, such as respiratory failure or a lung abscess.
5- Asthma
Asthma is a chronic disease that causes wheezing, shortness of breath, and a cough that usually gets worse in the late night and early morning.
Asthma symptoms worsen during an attack, and foods that trigger asthma may cause coughing after eating. Examples of foods that may cause asthma attacks in some people are milk, eggs, fish, peanuts, and others. [4]
6- Food Allergy
Food allergy can appear at any age, but it often begins in childhood, and allergy to foods that a person used to eat without problems may develop.
An allergic reaction usually occurs within two hours of eating, and symptoms vary from person to person, and may affect the respiratory system, and symptoms in this case include coughing after eating, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
In rare cases, life-threatening anaphylaxis may warrant emergency medical attention.
7- Respiratory Infection
Respiratory infection may lead to coughing after eating and drinking as a result of irritation in the throat, and a viral, fungal, or bacterial infection of the pharynx or larynx is one of the causes of cough with phlegm after eating, and treatment in this case depends on treating the main infection causing the cough.
8- Dysphagia
Dysphagia is caused by problems that make it difficult for food to move through the pharynx and esophagus. Which leads to obstruction of food transfer from the mouth to the throat in a natural way, and possibly inhalation of food and suffocation to block the airway, and then severe coughing after eating.
Therefore, dysphagia is a serious problem, especially in children and the elderly, and may even be life-threatening, especially in patients with other neurological diseases. [4]
COUGH TREATMENT AFTER EATING
The treatment of cough after eating lies in treating the cause and treatment varies from case to case, such as:
- Avoid trigger foods in cases of asthma and food allergy.
- Use of medications for asthma or gastroesophageal reflux disease.
- Use of antibiotics in some cases of infection.
There are also some general tips that contribute to the prevention of cough after eating and drinking, including:
- Eat slowly.
- Drink water while eating.
- Identify and avoid foods that cause a cough after eating.
- Adhere to taking medications as prescribed by the doctor.
- Stop eating during a coughing fit until it is completely over.
- Use a humidifier to prevent dry throat.
- Take supplements to aid digestion in some cases.