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When I Cough , It Triggers My Gag Reflex And

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Posted on Wed, 19 Jun 2019
Question: When I cough, it triggers my gag reflex and if I do not calm down ( attempt to slow my breathing and stop coughing, ) I will vomit.
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Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (25 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
different possible causes

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

Persistent coughing can lead to vomiting unfortunately in many persons.

Decreasing or stopping the vomiting depends on stopping the coughing

Coughing can be due to different causes.

If it is a recent onset cough, then a viral illness is likely . This can be treated with short term use of a cough suppressant such as dextromethorphan (found in robitussin) which is available over the counter

If the cough has been ongoing for more than 6- 8 weeks, it would be called a chronic cough and the causes include: (1)post nasal drip of mucus- this is the most common reason for coughing, some persons (1 out of 5) , are not aware of the drip itself and only have the coughing

Using a nasal spray such as nasonex or rhinocort or flonase

A decongestant (even if there is no nasal congestion) , may also help since it decreases the drip eg sudafed

(2)asthma- if there is a history of asthma then this may be the cause and the inhalers may need adjusting

(3)GERD- reflux is another common reason. Persons may not have the typical symptoms of reflux and only present with the cough
Reflux meds and lifestyle changes would help with this

(4)non asthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis- bronchitis (inflammation of these airways), that is related to the presence of certain white blood cells (eosinophils)
Treated with steroid inhalers that normally actually used in asthma

You may need assessment by your doctor to find the exact cause for you.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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When I Cough , It Triggers My Gag Reflex And

Brief Answer: different possible causes Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic Persistent coughing can lead to vomiting unfortunately in many persons. Decreasing or stopping the vomiting depends on stopping the coughing Coughing can be due to different causes. If it is a recent onset cough, then a viral illness is likely . This can be treated with short term use of a cough suppressant such as dextromethorphan (found in robitussin) which is available over the counter If the cough has been ongoing for more than 6- 8 weeks, it would be called a chronic cough and the causes include: (1)post nasal drip of mucus- this is the most common reason for coughing, some persons (1 out of 5) , are not aware of the drip itself and only have the coughing Using a nasal spray such as nasonex or rhinocort or flonase A decongestant (even if there is no nasal congestion) , may also help since it decreases the drip eg sudafed (2)asthma- if there is a history of asthma then this may be the cause and the inhalers may need adjusting (3)GERD- reflux is another common reason. Persons may not have the typical symptoms of reflux and only present with the cough Reflux meds and lifestyle changes would help with this (4)non asthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis- bronchitis (inflammation of these airways), that is related to the presence of certain white blood cells (eosinophils) Treated with steroid inhalers that normally actually used in asthma You may need assessment by your doctor to find the exact cause for you. I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions