Cough after eating is the cause

Cough is a symptom of many diseases, not just colds, as many people think. Sometimes people complain that they have a regular cough after eating. The exact cause of the cough after a meal can only be determined by the doctor on the basis of anamnesis, the results of medical examination, tests, and, based on the diagnosis, to prescribe the appropriate therapy. From the article you can find out why after eating can appear cough, and what accompanying symptoms confirm this or that disease.

Why does a cough after eating?

Reflux Disease

The most common cause of dry cough after eating is GERD. This abbreviation stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease. In a patient with GERD, the tone of the muscles of the lower esophageal ring is lowered, which causes the eaten food from the stomach to re-enter the esophagus, and with it the air that penetrates the digestive tract along with the food is expelled. In this regard, if in addition to cough after eating, there is heartburn and belching, then we can assume that a person has gastroesophageal reflux disease. Confirms the presence of GERD that the cough occurs immediately after eating (for 10 minutes). It is such a short period of time that is necessary for the opening of the esophageal sphincter.

Bronchial asthma

With the release of gastric juice against the background of GERD, bronchial asthma may develop. This form of asthma can not be treated with conventional anti-asthmatic agents. The danger of the disease lies in the fact that in the bronchi of the patient a large quantity of sputum accumulates and stagnates.

Allergy

Cough after eating with sputum is often observed with allergies to certain foods. Most often, the body reacts spice, chocolate, nuts, some sorts of cheese.

Foreign body in the respiratory tract

During chewing and ingestion of food, its particles sometimes fall into the wrong throat. Especially often this suffers from small children and the elderly. If you get into the respiratory tract of food grains there is a reflex cough that is a source of unpleasant sensations.

Dehydration of the body

Cough after eating in the elderly can also signal the dehydration of the body . It is the lack of liquid to digest food provokes a fit of coughing. In order to prevent this manifestation, gastroenterologists recommend to people of advanced age to drink at least 300 ml of pure still water immediately after a meal.