There's My "Eating Cough" Again

By Andrea M. Jensen CHES AE-C

2 min read

Both of my college-aged sons were home on Saturday, so we decided to take them out to breakfast. After breakfast, my middle son said, "There goes my eating cough again." I just stared at him for a moment, trying to take in what he said. Seeing the look on my face, he said, "After I eat, I always start coughing." He also said it gets really bad when he lays down at night.

What is GERD?

Ahhhhh... I knew what was going on with him. I'm not a doctor, but I realized my son was probably having acid reflux. For those of you not familiar with acid reflux, it's when the stomach acid flows back up into your esophagus (the tube that connects your throat and stomach).

A more severe form of acid reflux is called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The symptoms for that can be:^1,2

Heartburn
Sour liquid at the back of your mouth
Regurgitating food
Difficulty swallowing
Chest pain
Coughing that is ongoing, happens after eating, or happens at night

Asthma and GERD

So why am I writing about this on an asthma website? Well, did you know that over 3 out of 4 people with asthma also have GERD? If you treat your GERD, you may be able to relieve some of your asthma symptoms.^3,4

There are many medications on the market that are used to treat GERD, such as antacids, short-term acid blockers, or proton pump inhibitors.

Cleveland Clinic also recommends:³

Raising the head of the bed by about 6 inches
Eating 3 to 4 hours before bedtime (and no bedtime snacks!)
Eating smaller meals
Keeping a healthy weight
Limiting fatty foods, colas, coffee, tea, alcohol, chocolate, peppermint, citrus, and tomatoes
Quitting smoking
Wearing loose clothing

Have an after-eating cough?

It's important to talk to your doctor and make sure you are treating your GERD with the right medicine. If not treated correctly, GERD may lead to lung damage, ulcers in the esophagus, and in some cases, Barrett's esophagus (which can lead to esophageal cancer).⁵

So, if you have an "eating cough" or start having asthma symptoms when you go to bed, talk to your doctor about acid reflux, GERD, and your asthma. Decide together what's best for you.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The Asthma.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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shellzoo Member
I do have GERD and it is very controlled on meds but I also cough after eating. My after eating cough is not the GERD cough. I tend to make lots of phlegm after I eat certain foods and usually cough due to that. I am guessing I might have some food sensitivities since it is more like allergy symptoms including a runny nose and sometimes watery eyes. Getting my GERD under control really helped my asthma.
1. Matthew-Ferry Community Admin
 Hi Shellzoo, thank you for leaving a comment. Similarly, I also experience an after eating cough and suspect it's from some food sensitivities. Have you spoken with a doctor about possible food sensitivities? -Matt (Team Member, <a href='https://asthma.net' target='_blank'>Asthma.net</a>)
2. shellzoo Member
 I have had allergy testing for some foods but nothing for sensitivities. My doctor feels we tend to exclude foods we can eat by testing for too many things. A little cough after eating does not bother me enough but when my face swells from eating nuts, that makes me pay more attention.
cathie Member
I get a cough after eating, especially when I eat out. But it's not GERD. One of my strongest triggers is food preservatives. Sodium Benzoate is the worst but others bother me as well. I can feel my lungs react within 20 minutes to 2 hours after ingesting. This is a very common preservative in both foods and medications and I have since found other asthmatics that have this sensitivity as well.
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Moderator & Contributor
 Hi cathie and thank you for joining in the conversation here. You are definitely not alone, as others in our community have expressed similar sentiments when it comes to food preservatives and triggers. How do you manage this? Is there anything further you are able to share with the community? Wishing you well, Leon (site moderator <a href='https://asthma.net' target='_blank'>asthma.net</a>)
beeathome Member
I cough @ times after eating & as described certain foods will cause excess mucous. I'm using homeopathic asthma meds (Ridgecrest Herbals) after using traditional asthma meds & not having any better results. I did some research & found that if I take 2 apple cider vinegar capsules with meals my eating cough is virtually elimated. I also stay @ the dinner table for an extra 20-30 minutes to allow my food to digest. I also use Bromelain/Quercetin capsules to help control excess mucous. All these suggestions should be discussed with your doctor but for me I feel much more in control of my asthma.
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Moderator & Contributor
 Hi beeathome, and thanks so much for sharing the success you're having using the homeopathic remedies you've shared with the community. We also appreciate your point to check with one's doctor before starting anything new. Naturally, that covers both prescription and over-the-counter medications. It's so good to hear you were able to resolve this for yourself. Keep up the good work! Leon (site moderator <a href='https://asthma.net' target='_blank'>asthma.net</a>)
patriciadrake Member
When I read this a light bulb went on over my head. I had never connected the two. I will be contacting my dr. and talking to her about this. I've been dealing with acid reflux for a very long time. This also explains the asthma kicking back in with a vengeance last year.
1. Ashlen Wilder Moderator
 Patricia, we are so glad this article provided you with some clarity. Let us know what your doctor says about this! Wishing you the best. 😀 -Ashlen, <a href='https://asthma.net' target='_blank'>Asthma.net</a> community moderator
2. Andrea M. Jensen CHES AE-C Contributor
 I'm so glad my article resonated with you! Isn't it crazy how many things affect our asthma? I hope your asthma improves after your visit with your doctor! Fingers crossed! Andrea, Author
johnep Member
I have had allergy triggered asthma since age of 3. It was managed well with minimal meds until about 12 years ago. I started feeling restricted breathing after meals, so much so that I would use my rescue inhaler. It took a few visits for the pulmonologist to figure out it was GERD. An endoscopy revealed some Barrett's Esophagus, a pre cancerous situation. I got very serious about controlling and treating my condition. I raised the head of my bed 6", restricted my diet and began using Prevacid. I eliminated fatty and deep fried foods, rich desserts, chocolate, alcohol, soft drinks and other things from my diet. It was not as hard as I thought it would be and I have plenty of foods that I can eat. My GI doc said the BE is almost gone and I rarely have indigestion or GERD symptoms any more. Of course I do the things I am supposed to do to prevent problems. In retrospect, I am a little surprised the pulmonologist did not pick up on GERD sooner, but I supposed the presentation of my symptoms could have been classic asthma although I was sure food was related to it. I think all asthmatics should understand that they are at risk for GERD and understand its symptoms. I lived a lifetime before learning that.
1. Melissa.Arnold Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="johnep" user-id="3021642"/> I just want to give you immense credit for taking charge of your health and making those important lifestyle changes! While I know you said it wasn't as hard as you thought, what you did was NOT an easy thing -- and clearly you are reaping the positive benefits of reversing your Barrett's symptoms. Good for you! Keep going. 😀 Do you have any favorite "substitute" foods you can still enjoy now? Just curious! -Melissa, <a href='https://asthma.net' target='_blank'>asthma.net</a> team
MonaLS Member
I had no idea that's what that was, but it makes total sense. I have GERD and take medication for it, but maybe I need to talk to my new doctor about continuing symptoms. (I supposedly have cough variant asthma, which never seems to get better on different asthma medications.) 
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="MonaLS" user-id="3033002"/> Hi Mona, and thanks for engaging with this article and conversation. I am glad to hear this material resonated so clearly with you. That sounds like a good idea - to further your conversation with the new doctor as relates to the continuing symptoms. Perhaps this doctor will be able to guide you in proper evaluation and treatment. Please do check back and let us know how this all turns out for you. Good luck! Leon (site moderator <a href='https://asthma.net' target='_blank'>asthma.net</a>)