What causes dry heaving triggered by coughing?

May 30, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Ren Yi

Introduction

In general, causes of coughing accompanied by dry heaving may include cold air irritation, improper diet, common cold, bronchitis, and reflux pharyngitis. The solution depends on the specific cause and medical attention should be sought promptly for treatment as directed by a physician. When the body inhales excessive cold air, the throat tissue may become irritated, triggering coughing.

　　In general, the causes of cough-induced dry vomiting may include cold air irritation, improper diet, common cold, bronchitis, and reflux pharyngitis. The solution depends on the specific cause and medical advice should be followed. Please seek medical attention promptly. The details are as follows:

　　1. Cold air irritation: When the body inhales excessive cold air, the throat tissue may become irritated, causing coughing. Severe coughing increases intra-abdominal pressure, which may compress the stomach, leading to dry vomiting. Patients can drink warm water appropriately and wear a mask to stay warm and reduce cold air exposure.

　　2. Improper diet: Eating too quickly or consuming spicy and irritating foods may trigger coughing fits or irritate the throat, causing coughing. Prolonged coughing may lead to dry vomiting. Drinking water or milk may help alleviate discomfort. Patients are advised to adjust their eating habits, avoiding eating too quickly or consuming overly spicy and irritating foods.

　　3. Common cold: During the early stages of a common cold, patients may experience dryness and itching in the throat, along with coughing. Severe coughing may be accompanied by dry vomiting. This occurs because coughing causes the abdominal cavity to contract, compressing the stomach and chest cavity, stimulating the gastrointestinal tract, increasing thoracic pressure, and resulting in stress-induced dry vomiting, which may also be accompanied by fever. Antiviral medications such as ribavirin tablets, oseltamivir phosphate capsules, and Lianhua Qingwen granules may be used under a doctor's guidance.

　　4. Bronchitis: Bronchitis is an acute or chronic nonspecific inflammation caused by biological or microbial factors. The main symptoms include coughing and sputum production. Severe coughing may be accompanied by dry vomiting. This occurs because inflammatory lesions in the bronchi lead to increased mucus production, and coughing causes mucus to irritate the throat, triggering dry vomiting. Symptoms may also include chest tightness. Anti-inflammatory medications such as prednisone acetate tablets, methylprednisolone tablets, and hydrocortisone tablets may be used under medical guidance.

　　5. Reflux pharyngitis: Reflux pharyngitis refers to the backflow of stomach contents above the upper esophageal sphincter into the throat area, where the reflux irritates the throat mucosa, causing inflammatory symptoms. Main symptoms include hoarseness, and abdominal distension may also occur. Medications such as bismuth potassium citrate capsules, sucralfate chewable tablets, and roxithromycin capsules may be used under a doctor's guidance to protect the mucosa and provide antibacterial effects.

　　During treatment, attention should be paid to adjusting lifestyle habits and dietary habits to promote recovery.

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Which cough medicine is more effective?

Generally speaking, there is no definitive answer to the question of "which cough medicine works better." Commonly used oral medications for treating cough include dextromethorphan and guaifenesin syrup, pentoxifylline citrate tablets, ambroxol oral solution, acetylcysteine granules, cefaclor capsules, etc. Patients should choose appropriate medications according to the type and underlying cause of their cough under medical guidance.

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What are the reasons for a persistent cough, and how can it be treated?

In general, persistent coughing may be caused by ongoing environmental irritation, low immune function, allergic cough, prolonged acute bronchitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or other reasons. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and then improve symptoms through general measures, medication, or other treatments under a doctor's guidance. In daily life, avoid smoking and secondhand smoke, and limit consumption of spicy or overly sweet foods.

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What are the differences between cough caused by mycoplasma infection and common cough?

The differences between cough caused by mycoplasma infection and ordinary cough mainly include duration, nature of the cough, accompanying symptoms, triggering factors, and response to treatment. In daily life, it is important to stay warm, avoid cold exposure, maintain good indoor ventilation, and reduce visits to crowded places. During episodes of coughing, drink plenty of warm water and avoid spicy or irritating foods to help alleviate cough symptoms.