Can rhinitis cause coughing?

In general, rhinitis can cause coughing.

When the nasal mucosa produces excessive secretions due to inflammation, these secretions may flow backward from the nasopharynx to the throat area. The postnasal drip irritates the throat mucosa, triggering a cough reflex and causing the patient to experience recurrent coughing. Inflammatory mediators released during rhinitis episodes, such as histamine and leukotrienes, can affect not only the nasal passages but also the throat and airways through systemic circulation or local diffusion. These mediators can directly stimulate the mucosa of the throat and nerve endings in the airways, inducing cough symptoms.

After exposure to allergens, patients with allergic rhinitis experience an exaggerated immune response that leads to inflammation of both the nasal and throat mucosa. The allergic reaction in the throat mucosa can directly trigger coughing, often accompanied by symptoms such as throat itching and a foreign body sensation. The nasal cavity and throat are directly connected via the nasopharynx, allowing localized inflammation caused by rhinitis to spread directly to the throat. This anatomical continuity makes the throat mucosa susceptible to the effects of nasal inflammation, leading to symptoms such as coughing.

For patients with rhinitis, if cough symptoms appear, especially when accompanied by throat discomfort, a foreign body sensation, or frequent throat clearing, rhinitis-induced postnasal drip or airway hyperresponsiveness should be considered. At this time, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly for targeted examinations and treatment to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life.