Why might I throw up when I have a coughing fit?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Coughing so hard you vomit can happen for several reasons, most commonly asthma or a cough related to obesity. Asthma often triggers stomach issues like acid reflux and postnasal drip, which can lead to vomiting during intense coughing fits. Other possible causes include respiratory infections, GERD, or whooping cough.

Because "coughing until you vomit" can point to many different conditions—some mild, some serious—it's important to identify the underlying cause before choosing next steps. A fast, free online symptom check can help you understand what may be driving your symptoms and guide you toward the right care, whether that's home management or seeing a doctor.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

Important Next Steps

Discover why vomiting after coughing happens Learn if coughing fits need care See if your cough causes vomiting Find OTC relief for coughing and nausea Find a doctor for cough and vomiting Discover home remedies for coughing-related vomiting Find out if coughing fit is serious

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Explanation

When you have a coughing fit, it might make you throw up for a few reasons. If you have asthma, coughing can be a big problem. Sometimes, vomiting is the main symptom when asthma is acting up. This means that when you cough a lot, it can upset your stomach and make you feel like throwing up.

Another reason could be if you have a chronic cough and are also dealing with obesity. Obesity can make coughing worse, and when you cough a lot, it can make your stomach feel upset, leading to vomiting.

Asthma can also cause other stomach problems. People with asthma might notice that their stomach feels upset more often. So, if you have asthma and a coughing fit, it might make your stomach feel bad and cause you to throw up.

If you find that you are often throwing up when you cough, it might be helpful to check your symptoms to understand more about what you're experiencing and find ways to feel better.

(References)

Osundwa VM, & Dawod ST. (1989). Vomiting as the main presenting symptom of acute asthma. Acta paediatrica Scandinavica, 2603727.
Guilleminault L. (2019). Chronic cough and obesity. Pulmonary pharmacology & therapeutics, 30817992.
Caffarelli C, Deriu FM, Terzi V, Perrone F, De Angelis G, & Atherton DJ. (2000). Gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with asthma. Archives of disease in childhood, 10648366.

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