Tips to Stop Uncontrollable Coughing

We’ve all experienced it: That nagging tickle in the back of your throat that just won’t quit, no matter how many sips of tea or water you take. When coughing becomes uncontrollable, it can be a serious (and often painful) nuisance. Aside from the glares on public transit, that persistent cough can make it difficult to breathe and may even strain muscles in your chest.

If you often wonder how to stop uncontrollable coughing, this article is for you. Continue reading to learn about the possible causes of a persistent cough and treatment options to achieve relief.

What Causes Uncontrollable Coughing?

Also known as paroxysmal cough, uncontrollable coughing has several possible causes, including whooping cough, asthma, bronchitis, GERD, and pneumonia.

Whooping cough (also known as pertussis) is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by a particular type of bacteria, Bordetella pertussis. It gets its name from the whooping sound people with the condition often make when they try to inhale after coughing. This infection is characterized by coughing fits that can be so intense they cause vomiting.¹
- A vaccine is available for whooping cough and recommended for people of all ages. It’s particularly important for babies and anyone in close contact with babies under one year old, as they’re at risk of severe complications from the infection.²
Asthma is a chronic condition that causes the airways in your lungs to become inflamed and constricted at times, making it difficult to breathe. During asthma attacks, many people experience coughing fits, wheezing, shortness of breath, and a feeling of tightness in the chest. These attacks may follow exercise, changes in temperature, or exposure to an irritant, like pollen.³

Bronchitis occurs when the bronchial tubes, which carry air in and out of the lungs, are inflamed. It’s often caused by viral respiratory infections and can trigger coughing fits with wheezing, shortness of breath, and fatigue.
GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) occurs when stomach contents travel into the esophagus, causing symptoms like chest pain and difficulty swallowing. Some people with GERD develop a persistent cough that tends to flare up at night. Although GERD is very common, proper management is crucial to preventing lasting damage to the esophagus or respiratory tract.⁴
Pneumonia is an infection that causes inflammation in the lungs’ air sacs, called alveoli. This can lead to fluid in the lungs, making it difficult to breathe normally. Pneumonia can also cause fever, uncontrollable coughing, and chest pain, and usually requires professional medical attention.⁵

Keep in mind that although colds and the flu are among the most common causes of coughing, they’re unlikely to cause a violent or uncontrollable cough.

What Are Some Remedies to Control a Persistent Cough?

Home remedies and over-the-counter, and prescription medications are available treatment options to control a persistent cough. While home remedies can help prevent some types of coughing, chronic conditions, and more severe infections generally need expert care.

Home Remedies

The following home remedies may help calm a persistent cough:

Hydration

Proper hydration is key to thinning lingering mucus from infections and allergies. The thinner the excess mucus is, the easier it is to expel through coughing or blowing your nose. The general recommendation is to drink 16 cups of water daily for men and 11 cups daily for women, but people generally need more fluids when they’re sick.⁶

Reduced exposure to potential irritants

Irritants like smoke, pollutants, mold, dust, and pollen can exacerbate a persistent cough. So, limiting your exposure to these irritants may help prevent coughing fits, especially for people with asthma.

Elevate your head

If you suffer from nighttime coughing fits from GERD, elevating your head at night may help ward off the hacking. Propping your head up on an extra pillow or two deters stomach acid from flowing up into the esophagus.⁷

Eat slowly and avoid large portions

Eating quickly and consuming large volumes of food in a single sitting can trigger GERD symptoms, including a stubborn cough. Reduce your portion size and eat slowly, chewing and swallowing each bite completely before moving on to the next.

Try stress relief and relaxation methods

Stress is a known GERD trigger, and it may exacerbate a persistent cough. Incorporate stress management techniques into your daily routine, like breathing exercises, journaling, and exercise, to keep stress-related symptoms at bay.⁸

Over-the-Counter Medications

Over-the-counter cough suppressants may help calm a lingering cough from a cold, flu, allergies, bronchitis, or sinusitis. Dextromethorphan, a common OTC cough suppressant, works by temporarily reducing your cough reflex.⁹

Keep in mind that OTC cough suppressants are meant for short-term relief of occasional coughing, such as from a minor respiratory infection. If your cough lasts more than seven days, comes back, or occurs with fever, rash, or headache, stop use and ask a doctor. These could be signs of a more serious condition.¹⁰

Prescription Options

When over-the-counter medications fail to calm an uncontrollable cough, your doctor may recommend prescription options.

In complicated cases of bronchitis that don’t resolve with at-home care, doctors may recommend prescription antibiotics to fully clear the infection. However, as most cases of bronchitis are viral and don’t respond to antibiotics, this is rare.¹¹
GERD can often be managed with dietary and lifestyle adjustments, alongside over-the-counter medications as needed. In severe cases, doctors prescribe medications to block acid secretion (histamine blockers), reduce acid production (proton pump inhibitors), or prevent gastrointestinal muscle activity (prokinetic agents).¹²

In most cases, prescription medications are needed to successfully treat uncontrollable coughing from whooping cough, asthma, and pneumonia.

Whooping cough is treated with prescription antibiotics.
Mild asthma symptoms may be managed with OTC inhalers, but for more severe cases, your doctor may recommend a prescription inhaler. Asthma inhalers may contain a bronchodilator (medicine that relaxes the lung muscles), corticosteroid (medicine that inhibits the immune system to reduce inflammation), or both.¹³
For cases of bacterial pneumonia, physicians provide prescription antibiotics. Some cases of viral pneumonia may require prescription antiviral medication.¹⁴

How Can I Prevent Uncontrollable Coughing in the Future?

To prevent uncontrollable coughing in the future, talk to your doctor about managing any chronic conditions contributing to the cough, like asthma or GERD. Additionally, aim to reduce your exposure to possible cough triggers, like smoke, pollution, and pollen.

Uncontrollable coughing can be a nuisance, to say the least. But with a better understanding of the culprit behind that stubborn cough, you and your doctor can devise a plan for lasting relief.

How to Stop Uncontrollable Coughing