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Coughing fits can be disruptive, uncomfortable, and sometimes downright embarrassing. But did you know that they may also indicate an underlying health condition? Whether you’re dealing with a cough that won’t go away or coughing to the point of gagging, it’s worth exploring the underlying cause.
Let’s look at the link between coughing fits and certain chronic lung conditions, including bronchiectasis, shedding light on what you need to know to help manage your symptoms.
What Is Considered a “Coughing Fit?”
A coughing fit (or coughing attack) is typically described as an intense and uncontrollable onset of coughing that can last for several minutes. It can sometimes be severe enough to cause someone to gag or vomit.
You might have experienced a coughing fit after eating food or swallowing saliva due to the substance going down your trachea (i.e., windpipe) instead of your esophagus (i.e., food pipe), where it is properly digested.¹
The scenario above is a common cause of coughing fits, but it’s not the only reason why they happen.
Types of Coughs
Coughing is a reflex that helps clear our airways of irritants, mucus, and foreign substances. Simply put, it’s a natural defense mechanism that protects the respiratory system from potential harm.²
However, when coughing becomes frequent, intense, or uncontrollable, it often results from an underlying cause.
Before we explore a few causes of coughing fits, let’s first review the different types of coughs and what they mean:
- Dry cough. Dry coughs are usually accompanied by irritation in the throat, sometimes felt as a tickle. This can trigger your cough reflex, but when you cough, there’s no mucus or phlegm. ³
- Wet cough. Wet coughs happen when the body produces mucus or phlegm that’s coughed up. This type of cough, also known as a “productive cough,” is usually associated with a chronic lung condition or respiratory infection.4
- Acute cough. Acute coughing usually comes on suddenly and doesn’t last more than 3 weeks. This type of cough could be caused by a cold, allergies, or the flu. 5
- Chronic cough. This is a persistent cough that lasts over eight weeks.6 When dealing with a chronic cough, you may also notice you’re coughing up mucus, wheezing, and experiencing shortness of breath.
- Paroxysmal coughing. This is an uncontrolled cough that can cause a choking sensation or lead to severe coughing that causes gagging. That’s because the muscles that lead to coughing are the same as those that lead to gagging.7 The trigger behind such a forceful cough can include pneumonia, bronchitis, and bronchiectasis, among others.
Severe coughing fits can be both disruptive or worrisome. It’s important to keep in mind that a frequent cough accompanied by other symptoms (e.g., infection, shortness of breath, vomiting) can indicate something more serious is going on.8
Coughing Fit Causes
Coughing fits can stem from a range of acute and chronic factors. Let’s delve into a few of the culprits.
Infections
Acute coughing fits can result from upper and lower respiratory infections, including:
- Common cold
- Influenza
- Pneumonia9
These infections can irritate the airways, which can mean excessive coughing as the body tries to get rid of the infectious agents.
Allergies
Allergies can also lead to acute coughing fits. When the immune system overreacts to allergens such as pollen, dust mites, or pet dander, it can trigger an inflammatory response in the airways, meaning you have to deal with a dry cough or coughing fit.10
Asthma
This chronic lung condition is characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, leading to wheezing, shortness of breath, and chronic coughing.
Asthma attacks can be triggered by allergens, exercise, cold air, or respiratory infections.11 Work with your healthcare provider to develop a personalized treatment plan to manage symptoms
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Chronic coughing can be a common symptom of COPD. When the airways become inflamed and damaged, mucus production increases, leading to coughing.
Additionally, the airways may become narrowed, making it more difficult for air to flow in and out of the lungs, resulting in a chronic cough.
Bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis, another chronic lung condition, causes the airways in the lungs to become damaged and widened. This can lead to a buildup of mucus and bacteria, causing infections.
As with COPD, persistent coughing is a common symptom of bronchiectasis, especially when mucus is present. Coughing fits can be severe and may last for several minutes.
Other symptoms of bronchiectasis include:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Wheezing
Post-Nasal Drip
Post-nasal drip happens when excess mucus from the sinuses drips down the back of the throat. This can lead to a chronic cough because the constant presence of mucus irritates the throat and stimulates the cough reflex. Over time, this irritation can lead to inflammation, making the cough even more frequent and difficult to control.
How To Stop a Coughing Fit
With a bit of patience and some self-care,12 you may be able to reduce the onset of coughing fits so it doesn’t disrupt your day.
Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water can help thin mucus and reduce the frequency and severity of coughing fits.
Use a humidifier. Adding moisture to the air can help soothe irritated airways and reduce coughing fits, especially in dry environments.
Steer clear of irritants. Try to limit your exposure to smoke, dust, strong odors, and anything else that can irritate your airways.
Wash your hands. Washing your hands and avoiding close contact with individuals who have a respiratory infection.
Cough properly. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow to prevent the spread of germs.
Follow your treatment plan. If your underlying health condition causes coughing fits, follow your treatment plan, including taking medications as directed, making necessary lifestyle adjustments, or performing regular airway clearance therapy.
Should I See My Doctor?
While the occasional coughing fits may not be cause for concern, you’ll want a proper evaluation from your healthcare professional if you have persistent or recurrent coughing fits, especially if you’re coughing so hard you throw up. Seek medical attention if your coughing fits are happening alongside other concerning symptoms:
- Coughing up blood
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Unexplained weight loss
- Persistent fever
With the right plan, you can start to reduce the frequency and severity of coughing effectively fits, allowing you to breathe easier and enjoy a better quality of life.
If you’ve been struggling with persistent coughing fits, don’t ignore them. Your body is trying to tell you something. Seek medical attention and work to find relief.
Coughing Fit FAQs
How to stop a coughing fit quickly?
The fastest way to stop a coughing fit is to quickly help identify the potential irritation or inflammation that triggered it. Have your recent actions dried your throat? Is the environment irritating you? Or is it a chronic condition? Drinking water is the fastest action you can take, but may not be the most effective immediate treatment depending on the underlying cause.
How to prevent a coughing fit?
The best ways to prevent a coughing fit from occurring is to keep yourself hydrated, avoid irritants such as smoke, heavy scents, or allergens, and use a humidifier when possible. Avoiding germs by practicing good hygiene to keep yourself healthy can also help lessen potential triggers.
How long does a coughing fit last?
A coughing fit can potentially last for several minutes and persist for several days to several weeks depending on the cause. Consult a medical professional if symptoms worsen or become unmanageable.
Fighting Coughing Fits with Airway Clearance
If your cough results from a chronic lung condition, airway clearance techniques via high-frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) therapy can help manage symptoms.
By helping to clear mucus buildup and other secretions from the lungs, HFCWO therapy can help reduce coughing fits and improve overall lung function.
The SmartVest System
The SmartVest Airway Clearance System is an HFCWO therapy device that delivers 360° chest coverage to help break the mucus buildup, inflammation, and infection cycle.
SmartVest is comfortable,13 easy to use, and has changed the lives of many people suffering from bronchiectasis and other chronic lung conditions.
To learn more about SmartVest, request an informational packet today or call our Respiratory Therapists at (800) 462-1045 to discuss your symptoms.
Resources
[1] Cleveland Clinic. “Esophagus.” Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21728-esophagus
[2] American Lung Association. “Learn about Cough.” Retrieved from https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/warning-signs-of-lung-disease/cough/learn-about-cough
[3] Medical News Today. “What causes a tickle in the throat and how to get rid of it. ” Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319802
[4] Medical News Today. “Wet coughs: What to know.” Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327442
[5] Mayo Clinic. “Cough: Causes.” Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/cough/basics/causes/sym-20050846
[6] Cleveland Clinic. “Chronic Cough.” Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15048-chronic-cough-overview
[7] Medical News Today. “Why might you cough so hard that you vomit?” Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319263
[8] American Lung Institute. “Learn about cough.” Retrieved from https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/warning-signs-of-lung-disease/cough/learn-about-cough
[9] Medical News Today. “How Can I Stop a Coughing Attack?” Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-to-stop-coughing-attack
[10] American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. ” Cough.” Retrieved from https://acaai.org/allergies/symptoms/cough/
[11] Cleveland Clinic. “Asthma.” Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6424-asthma
[12] Medical News Today. “How Can I Stop a Coughing Attack?” Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-to-stop-coughing-attack
[13] Pokorney J. Comparison of Oscillatory Trough Pressure Generated by High Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (HFCWO) Systems: A White Paper.
