Feeling nauseous or even vomiting after a bout of coughing can be an unsettling experience. This article explores the physiological mechanisms and various conditions that can lead to this sensation, helping to clarify why it occurs.
The Body’s Reflexive Response
A strong or prolonged cough interacts with the body’s reflex systems, particularly those linked to nausea and vomiting. The vagus nerve, a long cranial nerve extending from the brainstem to the abdomen, plays a significant role in controlling various involuntary functions, including coughing, swallowing, and the gag reflex. An intense cough can stimulate branches of the vagus nerve that innervate the throat (pharynx) and voice box (larynx), triggering a gag response.
The forceful nature of coughing also leads to a sudden increase in abdominal pressure. This pressure can compress the stomach and its contents, contributing to nausea or even causing the expulsion of stomach contents. The pharynx and larynx, already irritated by persistent coughing, become more sensitive, making the gag reflex more easily activated. This interplay of nerve stimulation and physical pressure explains the direct link between a cough and the feeling of wanting to vomit.
Common Conditions and Triggers
Several medical conditions and environmental factors can intensify coughing to the point of inducing nausea or vomiting. Post-nasal drip, where excess mucus drains down the back of the throat, can irritate the throat lining, leading to a persistent cough that triggers the gag reflex. This mucus can also drain into the stomach, potentially causing nausea or vomiting.
Acid reflux (GERD) is another common cause, as stomach acid can irritate the esophagus and airways, leading to chronic coughing and nausea. Conditions like asthma and bronchitis, characterized by inflamed airways, result in persistent coughing fits severe enough to induce vomiting. Infections such as whooping cough (pertussis), severe colds, and influenza cause intense, prolonged coughing episodes that can lead to vomiting, particularly in children. Inhaling irritants like smoke, strong chemical odors, or certain allergens can also provoke a cough strong enough to trigger nausea.
When to Seek Medical Advice
While feeling nauseous from coughing can be a benign, temporary reaction, certain signs warrant medical evaluation. If symptoms are persistent or worsen, or if you begin coughing up blood or blood-tinged mucus, consult a healthcare provider. Difficulty breathing, wheezing, or significant, unexplained weight loss alongside coughing and nausea also warrant a doctor’s visit.
Other concerning symptoms include fever, chills, or body aches that accompany the cough and nausea. Seek medical advice if these symptoms interfere with daily activities, such as eating, sleeping, or work. In infants or young children, any instance of vomiting with a cough, especially if they appear lethargic, refuse to drink for several hours, or have a high fever, requires immediate medical attention.