Coughing is an important, endogenous protective reflex of our body, but also a common symptom of many diseases of the respiratory tract and lungs. Before we cough, a subjectively felt coughing stimulus occurs, triggered by various factors, such as foreign bodies or cold air. They irritate individual sensory (lat.
: afferent) nerve fibres in the area of the upper respiratory tract, which in turn are interconnected with other nerves running upwards. This is how the signal finally reaches the “coughing center” in our brain. There, there are connections to other parts of the brain and the switch to motor (lat.
: efferent) nerve fibers. These nerve fibres run down to the diaphragm, the chest and abdominal muscles and the vocal fold apparatus. Finally, their excitation and subsequent activity causes the process of coughing.
Trigger of the cough
A variety of substances can cause a coughing irritation. They are among the most common:
- Physical stimuli (cold air, dry air)
- Mechanical stimuli (foreign bodies)
- Chemical stimuli (citric acid, distilled water, drugs such as ACE inhibitors)
- Body’s own inflammation mediators (e.g. bradykinin)
- Bacteria, viruses and other pathogens
- Diseases of the respiratory tract
- Allergy
- Gastroesophageal reflux
- Cigarette smoke
Coughing after a meal
A cough after eating can have many reasons. In principle, increased mucus formation in the bronchi can be observed immediately after meals. But how can this be explained?
While we are eating, the parasympathetic nervous system, as part of our vegetative nervous system, is particularly active (“rest and digest”). It stimulates the digestion and promotes the production of mucus and saliva, thus triggering a coughing sensation. Nevertheless, a frequent and intensive cough after a meal can be an indication of other clinical pictures.
These include gastroesophageal reflux. With this illness, stomach acid erroneously gets into the esophagus (lat. : esophagus).
From there, small quantities can be inhaled and thus cause the coughing irritation. Other symptoms of reflux disease include heartburn, difficulty swallowing and pain behind the breastbone. Many affected persons suffer from a strong coughing irritation.
Beside well-tried household remedies, the pharmacy offers numerous remedies for relief. But in principle the actual cause for the coughing stimulus should be clarified first. Because depending upon release the therapy can fail very differently.
1) Foreign bodies 2) Cold or dry air 3) Bacteria and viruses
- The main reason for sudden coughing irritation can be inadvertently inhaled foreign bodies. Typically, small insects are inhaled during outdoor activities, e.g. a bicycle tour, and cause an immediate cough. In this case it is recommended to take a few sips quickly to flush the troublemaker out of the throat.
Normally this simple measure is sufficient to satisfy the irritation. But also “swallowed” food, taken too hastily or carelessly, can cause a short-term coughing stimulus. Here too, it is advisable to drink to satisfy the irritation.
In the worst case, food, e.g. a sweet, can get stuck in the windpipe (Latin: trachea) and can lead to serious problems.
- Some people, especially allergy sufferers, have very sensitive respiratory tracts: the mucous membrane reacts sensitively to small changes in the air, especially to fluctuations in humidity and temperature. Those affected quickly feel an annoying, persistent coughing sensation, followed by an unproductive irritable cough.
- In the cold winter months, with constant changes between dry heating air and cold outside air, the coughing stimulus is often particularly persistent. General room air humidification is therefore a suitable and simple measure: For example, place small moist towels on the heating system to improve the room climate.
Furthermore, there are special room humidifiers available in stores. Regular airing and checking the humidity with a hydrometer can also help.
- To prevent the mucous membranes from drying out and to satisfy the coughing irritation, you can also inhale with hot steam.
- In the context of e.g. colds or bronchitis, those affected often suffer from a coughing irritation. This is caused by bacteria and viruses that damage and irritate the mucous membrane.Our body uses the cough stimulus and the subsequent cough as a defense mechanism to get the pathogens out of the system.
In principle, coughing is therefore quite useful, but in the long run it is unpleasant and painful. So what to do?
4) Allergy
- First of all, sweets and lozenges can help. They promote the flow of saliva, have a calming effect and prevent the mucous membranes from drying out.
Furthermore, many people find it pleasant to drink warm tea, possibly sweetened with honey. Special cough teas with e.g. anise, thyme or sage are particularly suitable for this purpose.
- For many generations, the combination of onions and honey has proven itself as a household remedy. For this purpose, one cuts a kitchen onion into small cubes and fills them into a glass or a tin.
Then add honey until the onion cubes are completely covered. Make sure to close the jar tightly and leave it to stand overnight. The release of the ingredients creates an anti-inflammatory and germicidal brew, which also calms the irritated respiratory tract.
Unfortunately, the taste or smell takes some getting used to! Taken two to three times a day, it can provide relief in many cases.
- In allergic asthma of the respiratory tract (lat. : bronchial asthma), the body responds to actually harmless stimuli, such as pollen or animal hair, with an exaggerated defense reaction: inflammation, constriction and formation of mucus are among the consequences.
- Mild forms of bronchial asthma may be manifested as a coughing irritation followed by an attack of dry, irritable cough. In the first instance, the trigger should be identified and, if possible, eliminated. Special inhalation sprays and medication can help with the therapy.
