Depending on the cause, the coughing may be occasional or frequent.
The cough may be dry with hacking or wet with mucus and phlegm.
People with asthma may have a cough that keeps coming back.
Illustration by Tara Anand for Verywell Health
They can also have other symptoms, including wheezing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing.
In severe cases,anaphylaxiscan occur, which is life-threatening if not treated.
Acid might also be irritating your throat, causing you to cough.
This is more likely to happen after a meal.
Some people find that certain foodstriggeracid reflux.
You may feel the need to clear your throat.
Congestion and postnasal drip can result in a cough that lingers.
In addition, certain foods canthicken phlegmby coating it, increasing congestion in people who are sensitive to them.
When this happens because ofdysphagia(difficulty swallowing), a special diet may be recommended.
Still, some experts urge for more quality evidence to support diet modifications.
One of the symptoms is a cough.
Dysphagia
Dysphagiaoccurs when you have difficulty swallowing.
Trouble swallowing can change how food moves through the upper digestive pathways.
As a consequence, a person will cough.
With postnasal drip, you produce excess mucus that accumulates at the back of your throat.
You feel a need to clear your throat.
When to See Your Healthcare Provider
An occasional cough after eating is likely to be OK.
However, if you cough regularly after eating a meal, you should see a healthcare provider.
A provider can assess your condition and provide you with an individualized treatment plan.
Some helpful tips may include:
Summary
Certain conditions may contribute to coughing after meals.
If you are aware of your triggers, avoiding them can help.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Food allergies.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Diseases.Acid reflux (GER and GERD in adults).
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2019;129(1):13-17. doi:10.1002/lary.27287
Lai K, et.
al.The predictive clinical features associated with a chronic cough that has a single underlying cause.J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract.
2021;9(1):426-432.e2.
Hanamsagar MH, Sherwani AM.Upper respiratory tract infection and evidence based medicineA review.Int J Physiol Nutr Phys Educ.
2019;4(1):1506-8.
O’Keeffe ST.Use of modified diets to prevent aspiration in oropharyngeal dysphagia: is current practice justified?BMC Geriatr.
2021;1-17. doi:10.1007/s00455-021-10283-7
American Academy of OtolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery Foundation.Post-nasal drip.
