Could Severe Coughing Be Linked to Digestive Problems?
Hello! My 19-year-old son experiences severe coughing fits during meals, with some episodes leading to vomiting. This troubling issue has persisted for about two months now, occurring every single day. I’m eager to consult a doctor, but he currently lacks health insurance, which complicates my decision on where to start. I don’t want to waste resources on a general practitioner or a pulmonologist when a gastroenterologist might be more suitable, or vice versa. He has a pronounced gag reflex, and excessive coughing often results in vomiting. Previously, he only had coughing fits when he was ill, such as during a cold or the flu. However, he seems healthy now, yet he continues to encounter these distressing coughing bouts daily, sometimes 2 to 4 times a day, typically while eating or shortly afterward. This pattern suggests to me that it could be related to gastrointestinal issues. In his medical history, he has struggled with digestive problems, including slow digestion, chronic constipation, and severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), for which he takes two prescribed lansoprazole daily, exceeding over-the-counter dosages. He also weighs approximately 280 pounds. This situation began around two months ago after he contracted Covid, although the coughing doesn't resemble the typical symptoms associated with a cold. Additionally, my son has autism, which makes it challenging for him to express what he’s feeling, so I’m trying to decipher his experiences. The cough seems to originate deeper within and exclusively occurs during meals, particularly with oily foods, like pizza. This leads me to suspect a link to his stomach issues, yet I'm also puzzled by the cough itself. I’ve never encountered a cough stemming from gastrointestinal problems before. Do you have any advice on the right direction to take from here? Thank you!
Answers (1)
7/29/2025, 2:20:55 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel concerned about your son's severe coughing fits, especially given the context of his medical history and the impact on his daily life. Coughing that occurs during meals, particularly when involving vomiting, can indeed be linked to digestive issues, particularly with his background of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Understanding the Situation
Coughing during or after meals may suggest a few possible causes:
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Food may trigger reflux, leading to irritation of the throat and cough.
- Food Sensitivities: Some foods, like oily foods (i.e., pizza), may aggravate his condition.
- Gag Reflex: An exaggerated gag reflex, which may be more pronounced in your son due to his autism, can lead to choking sensations and cough.
- Post-COVID Symptoms: Lingering effects of COVID-19 can sometimes manifest as a cough, even without typical respiratory symptoms.
Prioritized Next Steps
Here's a structured plan to address your son's symptoms effectively:
-
Diet Adjustments:
- Monitor Food Triggers: Keep a food diary to identify any specific foods that seem to trigger the coughing fits. Start with avoiding known irritants like oily or spicy foods.
- Eat Smaller Portions: Encourage smaller, more frequent meals rather than large ones to lessen pressure on the stomach.
-
Cough Management:
- If he's having difficulty swallowing (which can happen with GERD), consider offering softer foods and thickened liquids to ease the eating process.
- Stay upright for at least 30 minutes after eating to reduce reflux episodes.
-
Hydration:
- Encourage your son to drink water before and after meals (not during) to help with swallowing and reduce reflux.
-
Potential Over-the-Counter Options:
- Consider discussing the use of antacids with a pharmacist, as these can help with acid irritation. However, please be cautious as your son is already on medication for GERD; check with a professional about interactions.
-
Assess Symptoms Regularly:
- Track the frequency and severity of coughing fits and any accompanying symptoms (like vomiting). This information can help identify patterns and triggers, providing important insights if a healthcare consultation becomes feasible.
-
Community and Low-Cost Resources:
- Investigate community health clinics or hospitals that offer sliding-scale fees based on income, as they can provide access to both general practitioners and specialists without the financial burden.
Summary
By monitoring his diet closely, managing meals, and keeping track of symptoms, you can gain important insights into the triggers for your son's coughing. While dietary changes and over-the-counter solutions can help, it may become necessary to consult with a healthcare professional if symptoms persist or worsen.
I hope this helps you navigate the next steps for your son. Feel free to share any further questions or concerns you might have!
Related Questions
Internal Struggles: Seeking Answers
F35 – I’ve grappled with lifelong constipation, quite literally. As a kid, I frequently experienced painful stomach cramps, and I would only manage to have a bowel movement once every couple of weeks. It wasn't until about a year ago that I discovered it is unusual to not have a daily bowel movement. I have been diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and for the past decade, I have endured episodes of vomiting 3 to 5 times each day. I previously suffered from intense pain on my right side for roughly five years, but no medical professional could identify the cause. Recently, I began incorporating prebiotics and probiotics into my routine, and I’m finally experiencing improvements, averaging about 3 to 4 bowel movements weekly. Nonetheless, for the past two months, the appearance of my stool has raised concerns (details in the comments). Today, I chopped a piece to check for the presence of the stringy material inside as well; it seemed to be absent. However, I noticed some small white and slightly larger yellow specks within. Could these be segments or eggs from parasites? And what exactly is the deal with the stringy, rope-like substance surrounding my stool? I am currently awaiting the results from an Ova-Parasite test but I question the reliability of such a test, given the minute sample size of only 1/8 of a teaspoon. This situation is causing me a lot of anxiety, so I would greatly appreciate any guidance!
4-Year-Old Boy Experiencing Continuous Diarrhea
I am reaching out for advice regarding my son, who is four years old and has been suffering from ongoing diarrhea for the past six months. Although he has always had loose stools, they have recently transformed into mainly watery diarrhea. This change has led to him having accidents and waking up in the night to have bowel movements. Aside from some abdominal discomfort before he poops, he hasn't displayed any other symptoms. He appears to be a healthy boy in terms of growth and weight gain, aside from these bowel issues. We have conducted blood tests and plan to share the outcomes soon. However, I find myself uncertain about how to understand these results, and I haven't received any feedback from the doctor yet. I am anxious and would greatly appreciate any insights regarding what these symptoms might indicate. Thank you in advance for your support! As for the blood test results: - C-reactive protein: Normal - Sedimentation rate: Normal - White blood cells: Normal - Red blood cells: Normal - Hemoglobin: Elevated - Hematocrit: Normal - MCV: Normal - MCH: Normal - MCHC: Normal - RDW-CV: Normal - Platelet count: Normal - Mean platelet volume: Normal - Percent of neutrophils: Normal - Percent of lymphocytes: Normal - Percent of monocytes: Normal - Percent of eosinophils: Normal - Percent of basophils: Normal - Absolute neutrophils: Normal - Absolute lymphocytes: Normal - Absolute monocytes: Normal - Absolute eosinophils: Normal - Absolute basophils: Normal - Granulocyte: Normal - Nucleated RBC: 0.00 - Sodium: Normal - Potassium: Normal - Chloride: Normal - CO2: Normal - Glucose: Normal - BUN: Normal - Serum creatinine: Normal - Calcium: Normal - Total protein: Normal - Albumin: Elevated - Total bilirubin: Normal - Alkaline phosphatase: Normal - ALT: Normal - AST: Elevated - Glomerular filtration rate: No value available - Anion gap: Normal - A/G ratio: Elevated - BUN/creatinine ratio: 27.5 - Globulin: Normal - TSH: Normal - Free T4: Elevated - Celiac tests: Normal ranges - Food allergy tests: Normal ranges
Concerns About Yeast Infection Symptoms
I'm feeling quite anxious right now. I’m a 32-year-old woman weighing between 140 and 145 pounds and generally in good health. I have an IUD. For the past two weeks, I've been experiencing signs of a yeast infection, notably itchiness around my vaginal area and anus, but without any discharge. Just yesterday, I received a prescription for treatment, although I haven’t started the medication yet. This morning, I noticed two small marks near my anus, which resemble scratches from a bite or perhaps a pimple. During my recent visit to the gynecologist, they performed a swab and diagnosed me with a yeast infection, prescribing Monistat; however, now I’m concerned that these new developments could be an STI, especially since these marks weren't present earlier this week during my examination. Is this something that can occur? To provide a little more context: I spent a long day in a bathing suit around the time my symptoms began. I also recently became intimate with a new female partner. The symptoms appeared approximately 48 hours later. My worries about it being an STI have intensified, yet the yeast culture I received came back positive, which makes me think that an STI wouldn't manifest so quickly. I'm really stressed out since it’s hard to get a timely appointment with this doctor, and I'm seeking some reassurance that my situation is common. Additionally, I've been exposed to a lot of heat this past weekend, leading me to wonder if this could be a result of friction or sweating as well?
Seeking Insights on Persistent GI Issues: A Journey Through Diagnosis
At 26 years old, standing at 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 115 pounds, my gastrointestinal troubles trace back to my very first days of life. Right from birth, I struggled with passing meconium, which required assistance. Throughout my childhood, I battled chronic constipation, prompting my mother to frequently administer enemas. By the time I reached grade school, my physician recommended a daily dose of Miralax, which I relied on extensively. Many long hours were spent in the bathroom, grappling with severe gas pain that left me in agony. Eventually, the severity of my constipation lessened, allowing me to cope better with the bloating and discomfort that persisted through my middle and high school years. I underwent an appendectomy at age ten, and shortly thereafter, I began experiencing migraines. Come spring of 2021, I was in my second year working at a plant nursery, where the combination of outdoor heat and my daily routine dramatically shifted my health. Nausea surfaced in the mornings, escalating to frequent vomiting within weeks. My appetite vanished, and despite no noticeable changes in bowel movements, I experienced excruciating abdominal pain one day, culminating in a bowel movement that was the worst I’ve ever encountered—painful, unusual, and accompanied by alarming colors and strange textures. Domestic tensions with insurance delayed my visit to a general practitioner for three months. When I finally managed to see a doctor, I detailed my ongoing nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, lethargy, lightheadedness, and complete lack of appetite. Following a series of inquiries into possible eating disorders, she referred me to a gastroenterologist and ordered several tests, which included a barium swallow study, ultrasound, and blood tests. Most results came back within normal ranges, although my urinalysis revealed calcium oxalate crystals, and the ultrasound indicated clear kidneys but a cyst on my gallbladder. The swallow study showed evidence of GERD extending into my esophagus, leading to a prescription of omeprazole. My referral to the GI specialist involved additional blood tests for celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), among other medications. They also connected me with a gynecologist to evaluate potential cysts. An endoscopy and colonoscopy were conducted, with checks for microscopic colitis returning negative results, but internal hemorrhoids and gastritis were identified. A CT scan in 2022 revealed fatty infiltration of the liver. After losing track of the MRI follow-up due to staffing changes, I returned seeking assistance from another physician in the group, who left me feeling confused and suggested I may have esophageal sensitivity. Additionally, he proposed an antidepressant, which was not feasible given my psychiatric medications. As my weight dwindled—down 35 pounds in just three months—I turned back to my GP and, after some referrals, received a diagnosis of hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS). I put my gastrointestinal concerns aside while prioritizing my neurological complications and engaging in physical therapy. About a year ago, I revisited a gastroenterologist as my constipation worsened further, though I had fortunately regained some appetite over the prior two years, enabling me to eat half to a full meal daily, which halted my weight loss. However, I started noticing a significant increase in orange and brown mucus in my stool, sometimes to the extent of having only mucus in my bowel movements. This new specialist prescribed a bowel washout, daily Linzess, and a FODMAP diet. After strictly adhering to these instructions while enduring an uncomfortable experience, my efforts yielded zero positive results. Despite keeping a detailed journal, I returned to my norm, but reintroducing foods led to unpredictable consequences—runny stools for several weeks. Now following my subsequent symptoms, it appeared I began experiencing what seemed to be paradoxical diarrhea. At my follow-up appointment, the doctor concurred and adjusted my Linzess dosage. When I met with the specialist again, he inquired about whether I had conducted another bowel washout post-FODMAP diet, to which I replied I was unaware I needed to do so. He encouraged me to perform another washout and experiment with dosing before our next meeting, warning that if improvements weren't observed, we may need to proceed with a colonoscopy. Currently, my stools are rarely "normal"—approximately one out of every hundred follows the mid-range of the Bristol stool chart, appearing without mucus and sinking instead of floating. The variations in color range widely from pale beige to dark maroon and tend to fluctuate. Daily, I grapple with stomach pain and bloating. With extensive research over the past four to five years, my current gastroenterologist now characterizes my issues as IBS-C. I tested negative for both IBD and celiac disease, but I am keen to discuss the possibility of Hirschsprung’s disease, as I recently learned about my early gastrointestinal struggles through my mother. Although I recognize the chances are slim, I feel compelled to mention it in case a colonoscopy is performed, presenting an opportunity to check for it. I’m questioning if the way my symptoms have developed aligns with typical IBS-C presentations or if my concerns are exaggerated. Nothing thus far has provided relief.
Unexpected Oral Glucose Tolerance Test Results Despite Normal HbA1c
Greetings, I recently completed a series of blood tests, which included checking my glycated hemoglobin and conducting an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). To my surprise, the findings were quite perplexing. While my HbA1c came back normal at 5.2%, the results from the OGTT were significantly elevated. Notably, my fasting glucose was within a healthy range at 84, with insulin levels at 4.5. However, after one hour post-glucose intake, the glucose level soared to 190, and insulin peaked at 45.2. After two hours, those values were still high, measuring 180 for glucose and 90.1 for insulin. Could there be any reasoning behind these unusual outcomes? For context, I am a 26-year-old male, maintaining a healthy weight. I lead an active lifestyle, consume a well-rounded diet, avoid junk food and sweets, and abstain from alcohol. The only medications I use include an inhaled steroid for asthma and a nasal steroid for ongoing sinus issues.