Respiratory diseases are often associated with severe coughing. In this case, it may happen that a nausea when coughing is triggered.
What characterizes nausea when coughing?
In most cases, nausea when coughing prevails when there is a cold or a flu-like infection. Coughing is part of our body reflexes and is carried out by humans completely automatically. Very fine sensory cells located in the respiratory tract, larynx and pharynx have the task of transporting pathogens out of the human body. This is done by the jerky contraction of the diaphragm, back and abdominal muscles. Under certain circumstances, very strong coughing fits can lead to nausea or vomiting.
Causes
In most cases, there is a nausea when coughing when there is a cold or a flu-like infection. In such a case, the airways are clogged with mucus, so that a strong and intense coughing fit is often inevitable. In the case of respiratory diseases or pneumonia, nausea can also occur when coughing. In the case of whooping cough, this can even last for several weeks. This is one of the main symptoms of this disease. However, another cause that is outside the respiratory tract is reflux disease. This is usually a congenital weakness of the sphincter between the esophagus and the stomach. This leads to a mixing of food pulp and stomach acid, which can then flow back into the esophagus. The resulting heartburn in the esophagus can cause a very uncomfortable cough, which is often also associated with a very strong nausea.
Diseases with this symptom
- Heartburn
- Foreign body aspiration
- Respiratory
- Pneumonia
- Whooping cough
- Reflux disease
Diagnosis and course of the disease
If a cough is so severe that it is accompanied by nausea, it is advisable to see a doctor. First, the heart and lungs should be listened to with a stethoscope. This will determine whether there are any unusual and abnormal breathing sounds. If the doctor detects exactly such sounds, further examinations should be carried out in any case. This includes, for example, a bronchoscopy. This allows the respective condition of the lungs and bronchial tubes to be determined quite precisely. In addition, a lung function test can also be performed to rule out all eventualities. If no disease is detected in the above-mentioned areas, a gastroscopy can be performed, which provides more detailed information about the stomach and esophagus. If a reflux disease is present, it will be detected during a gastroscopy at the latest. This is usually followed by a blood test. This can determine various inflammatory parameters that could also be the cause of the cough. In addition, various allergy tests can also be performed. In the case of a positive finding, these are entered in an allergy passport so that targeted action can be taken against them.
Complications
Nausea from coughing is a symptom and not a disease, thus not all possible complications can be listed, as some must be considered depending on the underlying disease. In general, it can also be said that the symptom of nausea when coughing can also be a complication. Probably the most serious possible complication is aspiration of vomit. If vomiting actually occurs as a result of the nausea, it is possible to aspirate parts of the vomit. These then enter the trachea. This is followed by a renewed, usually strong, urge to cough. The cough serves to expel the vomit from the airways. If this does not succeed, there is a risk of suffocation in the worst case. If the vomit reaches the lungs, infections and inflammatory reactions can occur. If aspiration occurs, the vomit must be removed from the airways as quickly as possible. Other possible complications include shortness of breath, an increase in the urge to cough, and anxiety. If vomiting occurs during coughing, shortness of breath often occurs, which may lead to anxiety or even downright panic attacks. In general, it is advisable to remain calm, as the situation can be aggravated by panicky and ill-considered behavior.
When should you go to the doctor?
Irritative cough with vomiting, even if it feels threatening, is usually the symptom of a harmless cold. Irritative cough does not produce mucus, it is dry and therefore very uncomfortable. It is not uncommon for a coughing fit to become so extreme that the affected person experiences shortness of breath and nausea. Cramp-like coughing fits are nothing unusual, even in children. If coughing symptoms persist, it may be due to a viral infection, which usually subsides after a few days. To be on the safe side, a blood test can be performed on the sick person. If the blood shows elevated levels of inflammation, it is a bacterial infection, which indicates several diseases. If the cough is accompanied by symptoms such as pain when breathing, headache and hoarseness, it could be bronchitis. This must be clarified by the specialist. Depending on the situation, an X-ray of the lungs may provide clarification. Whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial infection that often occurs in children, but can also affect unvaccinated adults. Infection can also occur again after a vaccination that was administered some time ago. Here, too, a blood test provides information. Since whooping cough is caused by bacteria, the doctor prescribes antibiotics. Cough suppressants containing codeine are often part of the therapy so that the affected bronchial tubes can calm down again. Whooping cough is a notifiable infection.
Treatment and therapy
If it is a very protracted and dry cough, the use of a stronger cough syrup is recommended. This can stop the annoying cough irritation, but not banish the pathogens from the throat. A home remedy which can help very well in many cases is inhaling healing herbs. This can have a very soothing effect on the respiratory tract and stop the cough and nausea. If the mucus is very viscous and stuck, an expectorant medication should be administered. This is because in many cases the mucus is the trigger of the actual nausea, as the mucus cannot be coughed up properly. In the case of whooping cough, on the other hand, expectorant medications tend to be ineffective. In particularly severe cases, antibiotics may also be administered. If necessary, inpatient treatment can also be given. If the trigger is an allergy, the first thing to do is to find the trigger. In many cases, this is sufficient. However, if the cause of the nausea is asthma, additional anti-inflammatory medication must be administered. If it is a severe disease of the heart or lungs, appropriate medication must be administered according to the stage of the disease. In such cases, inpatient treatment or surgery are usually unavoidable. If the above-mentioned reflux disease is present, the affected person must observe a few things with regard to his diet. Very acidic foods should be avoided completely. Also lavish meals with a very high proportion of fat should not be consumed regularly. If there is still no clear improvement after this, so-called acid inhibitors can be prescribed. However, this should not be a permanent solution, because the human body can become accustomed to this substance, which is anything but healthy in the long term.
Outlook and prognosis
In many cases, nausea when coughing represents a common symptom that occurs during flu or cold. In this case, no treatment by the doctor is necessary, because the symptom disappears again by itself and does not lead to further complications. Often the nausea when coughing is accompanied with funny sounding breathing noises. Usually, the doctor can use some means of diagnosis, which can determine the cause of the symptom relatively well. The patient’s daily life is severely limited by the symptom, as performing activities is no longer readily possible. It may happen that the vomit is inhaled again and swallowed in the process. In the worst case, death or a respiratory tract infection may result. Many patients also suffer from anxiety and panic during the symptom. In most cases, treatment is carried out with the help of antibiotics (in case of infections) and leads relatively quickly to a positive course of the disease. Surgeries are not necessary.However, it is helpful to avoid panic and to avoid acidic products so that as little stomach acid as possible rises due to the nausea caused by coughing.
Prevention
Specific prevention of coughing and the associated nausea is very difficult, because it is an automated protective reflex. It is also almost impossible to prevent a cold or a flu-like infection. However, our immune system offers good protection. To ensure that this remains one hundred percent intact and is maintained, a healthy and varied diet is of very great importance. If the first signs of whooping cough are visible, a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible. The earlier the disease is treated, the better it can be treated. Otherwise, there is a risk of aggravation of symptoms, which can lead to severe inflammation of the lungs.
What you can do yourself
There are not only medicinal ways to prevent a nauseous cough. Home remedies can also be effective. The most obvious is to refrain from eating anything, so that nothing can be vomited. However, this is not advisable. The stomach contents are not responsible for the nausea. This remains in the stomach and the affected person spits up bile. It is more effective to combat the urge to cough. The best way to do this is to keep the mucous membranes in the mouth and throat moist. Drinking plenty of fluids is the best tip. But broths or soups can also help. Anything that keeps the mucous membranes moist is good. Inhaling, for example with hot water and thyme, is also recommended. Honey can also work wonders, as it lays a protective layer over the mucous membranes. In addition to these active countermeasures, there are also passive aids. For example, a damp towel in the bedroom keeps the humidity constant, which relieves the airways. A sliced onion in the bedroom is also said to have a similar effect. Lastly, a trip to the sea is also recommended. The salty, moist air helps with all sorts of respiratory problems and cold symptoms. Smokers should cut back on their tobacco use as much as possible.