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Eating Cough: Not Only GERD Causes This!

Most evenings when I have dinner the act of swallowing my meal causes me to feel the need to cough up thick mucus from the back of my throat. It is not GERD in my case but I’m sure the swallowing action frees up congestion which I have to cough up. It is usually dense mucous the size of a pea from my airway or sinus. It may also be due to drinking a glass of wine with my meal.


  1. Hi Aspin, and thanks for your post. You make a good point! There can be any number of activities that can have an effect on one's breathing and clearing of mucus. As you have shared, in your case, it can be swallowing (which seems to clear some congestion for coughing), and even drinking wine.
    Does this seem to interfere with your dinner? Or, are you able to clear your airway and continue eating?
    Wishing you well,
    Leon (site moderator asthma.net)

    1. I'm sorry to hear you are going through this right now! I have esophagitis which can make it hard to swallow and I know how unpleasant that can be. I hope you are able to get some relief soon! -Corinne, moderator

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