Reasons For Developing a Dry Cough When Laughing
Laughing is supposed to be a joyful experience. However, when laughter triggers an uncontrollable coughing fit, it can turn a happy moment into discomfort and embarrassment. A dry cough that occurs every time you laugh hard or for extended periods is usually a sign of an underlying medical issue that needs attention.
Irritation From Acid Reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common trigger for a cough after laughing. When stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus, it creates irritation that can initiate coughing. The diaphragm spasms from laughter put extra pressure on the stomach, making reflux and acid more likely to occur.
Exacerbation of Asthma
Hard laughter triggers similar physical changes to exercise - faster breathing, increased heart rate, tightened airways. For those with asthma, these normal body responses to laughing can cause bronchoconstriction, making it hard to catch your breath. The cough reflex kicks in to open the airways.
Side Effect of ACE Inhibitors
ACE inhibitor medications prescribed for high blood pressure can cause a buildup of bradykinin and substance P in the lungs. These compounds trigger chronic dry coughing that gets worse with laughter. Switching to an angiotensin II receptor blocker may relieve the cough.
Excess Mucus Dripping Down
Postnasal drip from allergies, sinusitis, or a common cold can make you cough when you laugh. As mucus drips down the back of the throat, it tickles nerve endings, initiating coughing. The heavy breathing from laughter also loosens mucus, making it more likely to drop.
When to See a Doctor
A laughing cough caused by a minor viral illness or allergy flare up will usually clear up within a few weeks. However, a cough triggered by laughter that persists longer term warrants medical evaluation. See a doctor if you experience:
Frequent Coughing Fits
If coughing after laughing happens regularly, it likely signals an underlying chronic lung, heart, or gastrointestinal condition requiring treatment.
Coughing That Worsens
A cough that becomes more frequent or severe over time needs assessment to identify the cause and proper therapy to resolve it before permanent lung damage develops.
Difficulty Catching Your Breath
Intense coughing when laughing can cause shortness of breath or wheezing. This indicates a problem with air exchange and oxygen delivery that could stem from COPD, pneumonia, or heart failure.
Discomfort or Pain
A strong coughing episode after laughing may leave you with chest, abdominal, or muscle pain. This suggests vigorous muscle contractions that could damage tissue.
Diagnosing the Cause of Coughing When Laughing
To get to the root of why you cough when laughing, the doctor will likely perform several diagnostic tests:
Medical History Review
Your doctor will ask detailed questions about your coughing episodes to help narrow down the list of possibilities. Let them know if it started suddenly or developed slowly over time.
Physical Exam
The physician will listen to your breathing with a stethoscope. They'll check your throat, neck, and abdomen for sources of irritation triggering the cough.
Imaging Tests
A chest X-ray or CT scan can reveal fluid in the lungs, pneumonia, bronchitis, tumors, heart failure, and more issues that provoke coughing.
Lung Function Tests
Spirometry measures how much air you inhale and exhale. Decreased lung capacity points to asthma, COPD, or pulmonary fibrosis as the cough culprit.
pH Monitoring
This test checks for acid reflux. A small tube placed through your nose into the esophagus measures acid levels over 24 hours.
Allergy Testing
Skin or blood tests can identify specific allergies causing postnasal drip and coughing. The doctor may also analyze a sputum sample for increased eosinophils.
Common Conditions That Lead to Laughing Coughs
Once diagnostic testing is complete, the doctor will determine which condition is responsible for your coughing fits after laughter. Some leading causes include:
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
The backward flow of stomach contents, including acid, into the esophagus frequently triggers coughing after eating, drinking, or laughing. Lifestyle changes and antacids typically help manage GERD.
Postnasal Drip
Allergic rhinitis, sinus infections, and the common cold produce excess mucus. As it runs down the throat, specifically when laughing, it initiates coughing. Nasal irrigation, antihistamines, decongestants, and allergy treatment help.
Asthma
Bronchoconstriction and airway inflammation make people with asthma prone to coughing when they laugh vigorously. Inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators taken preventively keep asthma controlled.
ACE Inhibitor Medication Use
These blood pressure medications cause a drug-induced cough in up to 20% of people. A different class of hypertension drug will eliminate the hacking cough after laughter.
Chronic Bronchitis
Repeated bronchial tube inflammation thickens mucus. The heavy breathing from laughing moves the mucus, inducing coughing. Quitting smoking, inhalers, and rest can help prevent flare ups.
Treatment Options for a Post-Laughter Cough
The appropriate treatment for a cough triggered by laughing depends on the diagnosed cause. Effective therapies may include:
Acid Reflux Medication
Antacids, H2 blockers, and proton pump inhibitors reduce stomach acid production and help heal irritation in the esophagus. This minimizes coughing.
Inhaled Bronchodilators
Albuterol inhalers open constricted airways and make breathing easier for asthmatics. Inhaled steroids decrease lung inflammation to prevent coughing.
Antihistamines and Decongestants
These drying medications reduce postnasal drip. Nasal spray steroids may also be used to minimize mucus production due to allergies.
ACE Inhibitor Substitution
Switching to losartan, valsartan, or another class of blood pressure medication often eliminates the chronic coughing side effect.
Humidifier
Moistening the air helps loosen mucus secretions. This makes them less likely to cause coughing when you breathe heavily laughing.
When to Seek Emergency Care
While usually harmless, a laughing cough very rarely indicates a life-threatening issue. Get immediate medical help if you experience:
Coughing Up Blood
Hacking up blood-tinged sputum after laughing can signal lung cancer, tuberculosis, pulmonary embolism, or bronchial damage.
High Fever
A fever over 101° F with chills, body aches, and fatigue accompanying your cough may indicate pneumonia, bronchitis, or lung abscess.
Shortness of Breath
Sudden onset of wheezing, feeling smothered, or gasping for air warrants emergency evaluation for blocked airways, heart failure, or pulmonary embolism.
Dizziness or Fainting
Cough syncope, or fainting spells triggered by severe coughing, suggests dangerously low oxygen levels requiring urgent treatment.
When to Visit Your Doctor
While less serious than emergency red flags, the following signs related to your laughing cough still warrant making a timely medical appointment:
Hoarse, Raspy Voice
If your voice sounds strained or gravelly after prolonged coughing fits, it may indicate vocal cord damage. Prompt treatment can prevent chronic laryngitis.
Cough Lasting Over 3 Weeks
Coughs related to colds typically resolve within 10-14 days. A persistent cough likely indicates an underlying chronic condition needing therapy.
Face or Head Pain
Severe coughing can cause head, sinus, or ear pain. See your doctor to check for conditions like sinusitis or otitis media with effusion.
Difficulty Swallowing
If your cough is so forceful it causes gagging, choking, or discomfort swallowing, you may risk dehydration or malnutrition without treatment.When to Use Home Remedies
For a new onset laughing cough or one you've had before with a known cause, try these at-home remedies for relief:
OTC Cough Medicine
Cough suppressants containing dextromethorphan or cough expectorants with guaifenesin can temporarily curb coughing fits.
Lozenges
Cough drops with menthol or anesthetic ingredients like benzocaine can numb the throat to prevent the urge to cough.
Humidifier
Moistening dry air prevents irritation and loosens mucus to make coughs more productive.
Salt Water Gargle
Gargling with warm salty water can temporarily coat an irritated throat and ease cough triggers.
Honey
Honey’s antimicrobial and soothing properties make it a natural cough suppressant. Add it to tea or take a spoonful straight.
When to Use Lifestyle Changes
Certain lifestyle adjustments can help prevent coughing or reduce episode frequency and severity:
Quit Smoking
Smoking irritates the lungs and damages cilia that clear mucus. Kicking the habit will reduce coughing.
Lose Excess Weight
Extra weight increases pressure on the stomach and can worsen acid reflux leading to coughing. Slimming down can help.
Limit Irritants
Avoid airborne pollutants like dust and smoke that can initiate coughing. Use a mask or air filter if needed.
Use a Humidifier
Proper humidity between 30-50% prevents dry irritated airways and improves coughs.
Mind Your Posture
Remaining upright during and after eating prevents acid reflux. Don't lie down right after laughing hard.
Know When to Seek Medical Care
Having to stifle a coughing fit every time you laugh excessively or deeply is not normal. See your doctor for a chronic laughing cough, especially if home treatments don't provide relief. Identifying and properly treating the underlying cause can help you laugh freely again without bothersome coughing episodes.
FAQs
Why do I cough when I laugh?
Common causes include acid reflux irritation, exacerbated asthma, postnasal drip, ACE inhibitor medication side effects, smoke or allergen irritation, and exacerbated chronic bronchitis.
Is it normal to cough when laughing?
An occasional coughing fit when laughing very hard is normal. But a chronic dry cough triggered by any laughter indicates an underlying medical issue needing treatment.
How can I stop coughing when I laugh?
Treating the underlying cause is key, which may include acid reflux medication, bronchodilators for asthma, allergy treatment, etc. Lifestyle changes like losing weight, quitting smoking, and using a humidifier can also help.
When should I worry about a cough after laughing?
See your doctor if the cough persists more than 3 weeks, produces blood-tinged sputum, causes difficulty breathing, or if OTC remedies don’t provide relief.
What tests check for the cause of laughing coughs?
Doctors may use medical history review, physical exams, imaging tests like x-rays, lung function tests, pH monitoring for reflux, allergy testing, and sputum analysis to diagnose the cause.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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