Paroxysmal Cough

Paroxysmal cough is an uncontrollable coughing fit. It’s often violent and keeps you from getting a breath. You might gag, vomit or even pass out.

You cough when something irritates your airways. It’s your body’s way to force out mucus, germs and other irritants. Sometimes, your airways overreact with violent muscle spasms. This might happen after you’ve had a respiratory infection, during an asthma attack or any other time your airways are inflamed.

Paroxysmal cough causes

The most common cause of paroxysmal cough is pertussis (whooping cough). But anything that makes you cough can cause it. Other common causes include:

• Asthma
• Bronchitis
• COPD
• Croup
• Cystic fibrosis
• Pneumonia
• Viral infections

Rarely, lung tumors cause sudden, violent coughing.

Paroxysmal cough treatments

Treatments for coughing fits depend on the cause. Treatments could include:

• Antibiotics (only if you have a bacterial infection like pertussis)
• Inhaled or oral corticosteroids (like prednisone)
• Bronchodilators (inhalers that open up airways)

In severe cases, your provider might suggest a nerve block to reduce your cough reflex.

What can I do at home?

Paroxysmal cough can be hard to manage with at-home treatments. But there might be some that can help calm or prevent coughing fits. These include:

• Cough drops, throat lozenges and throat sprays: These can sometimes help relieve the tickly or scratchy feeling you get when you need to cough.
• Cough suppressants: Cough suppressants like dextromethorphan help calm the part of your brain that tells you to cough.
• Decongestants: Decongestants might help if you have postnasal drip that’s causing or making your cough worse.
• Expectorants: Expectorants like guaifenesin can help you cough up what’s irritating your airways.

You might also need to avoid anything that brings on the paroxysmal cough. These could include talking or irritants like smoke. Drinking plenty of water, using a humidifier and sitting in a steamy shower can help loosen mucus that makes you cough.

Complications

Forceful coughing can lead to:

• Asthma attacks
• Difficulty breathing
• Choking
• Fainting
• Headache
• Muscle pain and strains
• Rib fractures
• Vomiting

Coughing fits can also interfere with your quality of life. It can be hard to get through meetings or conversations with friends. They can even make it dangerous to drive.

When should I see a doctor about coughing fits?

Talk to a healthcare provider if you’re experiencing paroxysmal cough. You might need treatment for a bacterial infection. If a cough is making you vomit or keeping you from breathing, talking or swallowing, call 911 (or your local emergency service number) or go to the emergency room.