What should I do if I can't stop coughing and throwing up?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Persistent coughing that leads to vomiting is often a sign of an underlying respiratory condition, such as asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough, or a severe viral infection. In some cases, post-nasal drip, acid reflux (GERD), or pneumonia can also trigger this cycle. When coughing becomes forceful enough to cause vomiting, it typically indicates that the airways are irritated or inflamed and need medical evaluation to identify the root cause and prevent complications.

Because so many conditions can cause this symptom combination, guessing isn't a safe strategy — and waiting can allow treatable issues to worsen. Take a free, instant, online symptom check to better understand what may be driving your symptoms and get clear guidance on the right next steps for care.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

Important Next Steps

Learn causes of your unstoppable coughing vomiting Discover if coughing vomiting needs urgent care Find out what causes coughing vomiting See OTC options for coughing vomiting relief Find doctors for coughing and vomiting Understand home remedies for coughing vomiting Check if coughing vomiting signals serious illness

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Explanation

When you are coughing a lot and also throwing up, it might be because of a problem with your breathing or lungs. One possible reason could be asthma. Sometimes, people with asthma can have vomiting as a main symptom.

Asthma and Vomiting: Asthma can cause different symptoms, and vomiting might be one of them. If you are having trouble breathing along with these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor.
Other Respiratory Issues: There are other breathing problems that might cause coughing and vomiting, so it's important to get checked.

If you experience these symptoms, especially if they are severe or getting worse, try Ubie's free AI symptom checker to help identify what might be causing your symptoms and get personalized guidance on next steps.

(References)

Osundwa VM, & Dawod ST. (1989). Vomiting as the main presenting symptom of acute asthma. Acta paediatrica Scandinavica, 2603727.
Friedrich K, Scholl SG, Beck S, Gotthardt D, Stremmel W, Rex DK, et al. (2014). Respiratory complications in outpatient endoscopy with .... Journal of gastrointestinal and liver diseases : JGLD, 25267952.
Mathew RJ, Wilson WH, Humphreys D, Lowe JV, & Wiethe KE. (1992). Middle cerebral artery velocity during upright posture after .... Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica, 1529742.

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