Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAsthmaFood AllergiesMild Acid RefluxExcessive Phlegm ProductionGERDLaryngopharyngeal RefluxUpper Respiratory InfectionsAspirationDysphagiaPostnasal DripWhen to Seek Medical CareTips
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Asthma
Food Allergies
Mild Acid Reflux
Excessive Phlegm Production
GERD
Laryngopharyngeal Reflux
Upper Respiratory Infections
Aspiration
Dysphagia
Postnasal Drip
When to Seek Medical Care
Tips
Coughing after eating could be the result of food going down “the wrong pipe” (aspiration) or a medical condition, such as afood allergy,acid reflux, anupper respiratory infection, ordysphagia(difficulty swallowing).
Depending on the cause, the coughing may be occasional or frequent. The cough may be dry with hacking or wet with mucus and phlegm.
Learn more about the conditions associated with coughing after eating, when to see a healthcare provider, and ways to prevent it from occurring.
Asthmaoccurs when there is a narrowing of the airway as aresult of a triggersuch as an allergen, toxin, exercise, virus, or cold weather. People with asthma may have a cough that keeps coming back.
They can also have other symptoms, including wheezing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing. If you have asthma and experience isolated coughing after eating that does not progress to other symptoms, it is unlikely that this represents afood allergy.
Usually, a person with food allergies will have coughing that progresses to include worse symptoms like shortness of breath, hives, vomiting, or can collapse in anaphylaxis. The most commonfood allergiesinclude:
Food allergies occur when the body’s immune system overreacts due to proteins in foods.Food allergy symptoms can range from mild to severe. In severe cases,anaphylaxiscan occur, which is life-threatening if not treated.
Exposure to food allergens may cause watery eyes, postnasal drip, throat swelling, and an itchy, scratchy throat that can trigger a need to cough.
Mild acid reflux is common and can occur from time to time in most people.While it’s unknown exactly why people with acid reflux cough when stomach acid enters their esophagus, it may be that the backed-up food stimulates nerve endings and triggers a cough reflex, or you might be aspirating (choking) on a small amount of acid.
Acid might also be irritating your throat, causing you to cough. This is more likely to happen after a meal. Some people find that certain foodstriggeracid reflux.
Some people experience excessive phlegm production after drinking milk or eating dairy products like yogurt or ice cream. There is limited evidence that dairy products may increase the production of phlegm in some people.If you experience excessive coughing after drinking milk or eating dairy products like yogurt or ice cream, consider avoiding these foods or switching to dairy-free versions to see if it helps.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Gastroesophagealreflux disease(GERD) is a chronic condition in which stomach acid rises into the esophagus, causing inflammation. It is a more severe form of acid reflux that occurs when your lower esophageal sphincter (a group of muscles at the low end of the esophagus that acts as a valve) does not close properly.
Symptomsof GERD include:
Researchers from China have found that coughing after a meal is a predictor of gastroesophageal reflux-related cough (GERC).After eating, reflux can increase because the contents of your meal and acids in your stomach that help digest food are being pushed back into your throat.
You may feel the need to clear your throat. Sometimes it may feel like there is a lump in your throat or that food is stuck, which can also increase the need to cough.
Common Causes of a Persistent Cough
Laryngopharyngeal refluxoccurs when acid that has been pushed into the esophagus, enters the throat and voice box, and a person is more susceptible to coughing. Typically, this may happen after a person ingests common trigger foods, such as coffee, alcohol, and spicy foods.
Upper Respiratory Infections (URI)
Anupper respiratory infectioninvolves the nose, sinuses, pharynx, larynx, and large airways and is associated with coughing.
Lung Infections: Pneumonia, Covid-19, Bronchitis, and More
On occasion, small amounts of food may go down the wrong pipe and as a result, a person will cough or gag to get it out. When this happens because ofdysphagia(difficulty swallowing), a special diet may be recommended. Still, some experts urge for more quality evidence to support diet modifications.
Aspiration pneumoniais a serious condition that occurs when aspirated food, fluid, or other substances cause inflammation in the lungs. One of the symptoms is a cough.
As a consequence, a person will cough. Dysphagia can be dangerous in people of older age and in children, especially those who have other neurological conditions.
Postnasal dripis a symptom of environmental allergies (e.g., tree pollen allergies or dust mite allergies).Untreated postnasal drip can lead to a cough. With postnasal drip, you produce excess mucus that accumulates at the back of your throat. You feel a need to clear your throat.
When to See Your Healthcare Provider
An occasional cough after eating is likely to be OK. However, if you cough regularly after eating a meal, you should see a healthcare provider.
Additionally, if you have a medical condition such as uncontrolled GERD, dysphagia, or aspiration pneumonia, a visit to your healthcare provider is crucial. A provider can assess your condition and provide you with an individualized treatment plan.
Tips to Prevent Coughing After Eating
Once you find out the trigger, you’ll be able to formulate a plan that works best for you to prevent coughing after eating. Some helpful tips may include:
Summary
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Diseases.Acid reflux (GER and GERD in adults).
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Frosh A, Cruz C, Wellsted D, Stephens J.Effect of a dairy diet on nasopharyngeal mucus secretion.Laryngoscope. 2019;129(1):13-17. doi:10.1002/lary.27287
Lai K, et. al.The predictive clinical features associated with a chronic cough that has a single underlying cause.J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2021;9(1):426-432.e2. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2020.06.066.
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American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation.Post-nasal drip.
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