8 Reasons Why You Often Cough After Eating

A cough is a common symptom that happens to everyone no matter you are young or old. But what if you constantly cough after eating? Here are the 8 reasons below that are telling you that you should take note!


1) You Suffer From Acid Reflux

Everyone experiences acid reflux from time to time. Some are mild, while others can be severe. It’s the kind of symptom that can happen to anyone regardless of age; even infants. Acid reflux commonly occurs when the acid in the stomach makes its way up to your esophagus, where you may experience the likes of heartburn in the chest or an annoyingly bitter taste in your mouth. There are two types of conditions typically associated with acid reflux include:

GERD & LPR

Both GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) and LPR (laryngopharyngeal reflux) relates to symptoms that belong to a chronic type of acid reflux. The only major difference is that LPR doesn’t possess the similar conditions as GERD such as heartburn and belching. Instead, LPR typically involves the acid in your stomach passing through your esophagus and right up your larynx (voice box). A person who suffers from LPR or commonly known as silent reflux usually will experience hoarseness in his/her throat as well as constant coughing during or after meals and a tendency for clearing the throat.

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2) You Are Eating Too Fast

When you wolf down your food in a hurry like there is no better tomorrow, you will increase the chance of developing acid reflux after meals. If you are prone to acid reflux as well as coughing after eating a meal, try to take things slowly. Do not rush whenever you are consuming food. You will do your stomach and your throat a huge favour in the long run.

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3) You Love Fatty/Fried/Greasy Foods

We know. It’s hard to resist the temptations of fried chicken, fries or burger with a juicy meat patty. But these fatty foods are one of the major causes of acid reflux that leads to chronic coughing after eating. This is especially evident if you develop a bad habit of consuming fast food on a regular basis. Your best solution? Cut down on these fatty foods or better yet, quit eating them altogether.

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4) You Love To Eat A Large Meal In One Go

Sometimes when we see food that we like, temptation kicks in and you wouldn’t mind eating them as much as you can. But overeating or even consuming a large meal in one sitting can trigger heartburn or a chronic cough easily. Make a habit of eating smaller meals instead.

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5) You Love To Lie Down After Meal

Do you have a penchant for lying down or napping just after you finish your meal? This is one of the nasty habits that do you more harm than good to your stomach. You see, when you lay flat on a bed or sofa, it causes the acid in your stomach travel easily into your esophagus. So, try your best not to lie down immediately after eating. Allow at least 3 to 4 hours before you are doing so. This is to ensure your stomach has plenty of time to digest your food properly.

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6) You Are Consuming/Drinking Too Many Acidic Fruits/Juices

Whole fruits and juices are supposed to a healthy choice. But if you frequently cough after eating, that means there are certain fruits and juices you need to reduce or avoid them altogether. This is especially true with acidic fruits or juices such as orange, lemon, lime and grapefruit. Another acidic fruit you should be aware of is tomatoes. Not only the whole fruit itself but also the juice as well as pasta sauce commonly found in bolognese and meatball recipes.

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7) You Always Drink Soda And/Or Alcoholic Beverages

Call it a soda, soft drink or fizzy drink. Whatever beverage that contains carbonation will not only make your stomach bloat faster but also tend to add pressure, which leads to acid reflux. It doesn’t even matter if your soda contains familiar labels that read “zero calories”, “low sugar” or “diet” on a print. The same goes for alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine and liquor like brandy, whisky and rum. Drink moderately and if it’s alcohol, try your best to limit to just one or two glasses.

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8) You Drink Too Much Caffeine

In today’s fast-paced world, most of us need caffeine more than ever. It can help to keep us alert and prevent sleepiness, particularly when we are on the clock or burning the midnight oil. Caffeine is typically found in coffee, tea and other caffeinated beverages like mocha, latte and cappuccino. But there’s an ugly side to it: caffeine can cause mild-to-severe acid reflux symptoms. It can trigger your LPR, which leads to frequent coughing, nausea and even vomiting. If you find yourself intolerable with caffeinated beverages, try switching them with non-caffeinated drinks like herbal teas like chamomile, rooibos and ginger.

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