Vagus nerve dysfunction can trigger cough[23]. Chronic neuropathy of the laryngopharyngeal nerve, a branch of the vagus nerve, presents with symptoms of laryngeal irritation such as chronic cough, stridor, throat irritation, dysphonia, and foreign body sensation in the throat.
Inflamed afferent nerve fibres may respond to a rise in intrathoracic pressure induced by intermittent cough with an increased baroceptor signal, leading to a severe vagal vasodepressive response.
Management of cough syncope focuses on treatment of the cough (eg, bronchodilators and antitussives) and the underlying conditions. Smoking cessation is closely associated with decreased symptoms and should be strongly encouraged.
Non-productive or dry cough. Possible barking sound, which can occur continuously throughout the day, or in bouts lasting from several minutes to hours. Generally disappears at night, when asleep, although in some cases the cough can become worse at night.
Neuromodulators for chronic cough
Although this is an off-label use, these drugs are thought to lessen the increased neural sensitization that underlies many cases of chronic cough. Currently, there is evidence that amitriptyline, gabapentin, pregabalin, tramadol, and baclofen may benefit chronic cough patients.
Normally, the nerve recovers its normal level of sensitivity and the cough resolves. However, in some patients, the nerve does not recover and a persistent chronic cough results.
A vagal nerve neuropathy can also impair other motor branches of the vagus nerve, causing paresis or even paralysis of the vocal folds, paradoxical vocal fold movement, or other sensory branches inducing chronic cough and other symptoms such as throat tickling sensation, sore throat, laryngeal paraesthesia, and ...
A frequent tickling in the throat and/or lungs that makes you cough. A persistent dry cough. A persistent non productive cough. Coughing, worse during anxious or stressful times and better when relaxed and less stressed.
In the early literature, chronic cough was considered to be psychogenic if it persisted despite medical treatment, demonstrated characteristics such as a honking or barking quality, was absent during sleep, or was associated with psychiatric illness.
Cough syncope is an important, but frequently overlooked, feature of chronic cough. Defined as loss of consciousness during coughing, cough syncope is a distressing and potentially fatal condition if an episode occurs whilst driving [25].
In patients with idiopathic cough syncope, direct suppression of the sensory cough reflexes is indicated. Such medications include codeine, lidocaine, dextromethorphan, chlophedianol, levodropropizine, and morphine.
Cough Syncope describes momentary loss of consciousness directly and immediately associated with a coughing episode. Syncope is more commonly referred to as fainting. Fainting episodes can be dangerous. The good news is that Cough Syncope will be eliminated if cough is eliminated.
Cough syncope:
Straining when you cough can raise the pressure in your chest area. This may lower the amount of blood being returned from your legs to your heart. In some people the reduced blood flow to the heart leads to a fall in blood pressure and increases your chance of fainting.
Cough syncope
Treatment, management or resolution of the condition which caused the cough does not reduce the risk of syncope with further episodes of cough. ✘- Must not drive and must notify DVLA.
Cough syncope, also called “tussive syncope”, is a well-recognized syndrome for about 70 years, in which loss of consciousness usually occurs immediately after a violent cough or prolonged bouts of violent coughing, lasting for seconds with rapid restoration of full consciousness.
The GERD cough is a dry cough that worsens at night and lasts longer than 8 weeks. GERD occurs when part of the stomach's acidic content move up through the throat. Often times people experience heartburn which does not resolve with antacids.
The anxiety-cough cycle
There's a complex association between mental health issues and chronic cough. These two symptoms can contribute to or worsen each other. While anxiety can sometimes result in a persistent cough, having a chronic or untreatable cough (from any cause) can also lead to anxiety.
Most tickly coughs don't require medical attention and will usually clear up on their own within three to four weeks. However, take care and seek the help of a pharmacist or your GP if your cough persists for longer than this or gets worse, as asthma, heartburn or heart failure can be indicated by a tickly cough.
How Does Stress Cause Acid Reflux and Post Nasal Drip? Stress increases stomach acid and some of that excess acid will reflux up. The mucous will drip in the back of the nose and throat to coat the throat and provide protection from acid that can otherwise burn and cause ulcers.
Some people experience tightness in the throat when they are anxious. This can make someone feel as though they have a lump in their throat or that they are choking. Sometimes, this sensation causes further anxiety, creating a vicious cycle.
It is associated with irritation in the larynx (voice box) and abnormal voice quality. Even innocuous activities such as talking can trigger coughing episodes leading people to avoid talking and social situations for fear of triggering another coughing episode.
When the vagus nerve itself gets damaged, you'll obviously deal with some pain in your neck - but other weird symptoms will present themselves as well. You'll notice issues with your voice, problems with your throat, an increased heart rate, brain fog, excessively high or low blood pressure, and gut problems.
The vagus nerve and glossopharyngeal nerve control the muscles of the throat. Dysfunction can cause swallowing difficulties. The nerves serve to help drain blood from the brain into the carotid sinus into the carotid artery in your neck. Dysfunction would cause brain drainage problems and high blood pressure problems.