What Causes Coughing Fits and How Can I Stop Them?

Forceful coughing, medically referred to as paroxysmal coughing, is often triggered by bacteria, though other underlying factors may also be responsible. If these intense coughing episodes interfere with your breathing or continue beyond a few days, seeking prompt medical attention is important.

Understanding How to stop uncontrollable coughing starts with identifying the cause. Paroxysmal coughing involves repeated, sudden coughing fits that are difficult to control and may leave you gasping for air.

Coughing itself is a protective reflex. It helps your body clear excess mucus, bacteria, irritants, and other foreign particles from the respiratory tract.

However, with certain infections, such as pertussis, the cough can linger for weeks and become severe enough to limit oxygen intake. During these episodes, you may inhale sharply and produce a loud “whooping” sound while trying to breathe in — which is why pertussis is commonly called whooping cough.

Paroxysmal coughing represents the second stage of whooping cough. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this stage typically begins about 2 weeks after the initial infection.

Most cases of paroxysmal coughing persist between 1 and 6 weeks.

In more serious situations, these coughing fits may become so forceful that they cause vomiting, and your lips or skin may appear blue due to reduced oxygen levels in the blood. Emergency medical care is necessary if you notice these warning signs.

Common causes of paroxysmal coughing

The most frequent cause of paroxysmal coughing is infection with the Bordetella pertussis bacterium. This highly contagious organism affects the respiratory tract — including the nose, throat, windpipe, and lungs — and leads to whooping cough.

Additional conditions that may contribute to paroxysmal coughing include:

• asthma, a chronic respiratory condition marked by airway inflammation and excess mucus production
• bronchiectasis, in which the airways in the lungs become permanently widened and thickened due to inflammation, allowing bacteria and mucus to accumulate
• bronchitis, an inflammation of the bronchi in the lungs
• gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a disorder where stomach acid flows back into the esophagus and sometimes reaches the throat or airways
• pneumonia, a lung infection that can develop as a complication of bronchitis
• tuberculosis (TB), a bacterial lung infection that may spread to other organs if not treated
• lung damage from trauma, smoke inhalation, or substance use

Because these causes vary widely, determining How to stop uncontrollable coughing often requires a careful medical evaluation and targeted treatment plan.

How do you know if your cough is a chest infection?

If your cough stems from a lower respiratory tract infection such as pneumonia or bronchitis, you may notice additional symptoms, including:

• a wet or productive cough
• yellow or green mucus when coughing
• ongoing shortness of breath
• wheezing during breathing or coughing
• chest pain or discomfort
• fever
• headache

A chest infection often resolves within 7 to 10 days without specific treatment, though a productive cough may linger for up to 3 weeks as your airways recover.

What does a pneumonia cough sound like?

A cough associated with pneumonia may sound deeper and louder than other types of coughs, according to a small 2021 study.

In this study, researchers recorded cough sounds from 30 adults and used an artificial intelligence (AI)-based algorithm to identify pneumonia with approximately 85% accuracy.

The findings suggested that pneumonia-related coughs were particularly loud toward the end of the coughing episode. Still, only a healthcare professional can confirm a diagnosis, usually with imaging tests such as chest X-rays.

Diagnosis and treatment of forceful coughing fits

If you consult a doctor about severe coughing spells, they may recommend one or more of the following diagnostic tests to pinpoint the cause:

• a nasal or throat swab to detect infectious bacteria
• a blood test to assess white blood cell count, which may signal infection
• an X-ray or CT scan of the chest or sinuses to evaluate for respiratory infections, structural changes, or lung damage
• spirometry or other lung function tests to measure airflow and help diagnose asthma
• bronchoscopy using a thin, lighted tube with a camera to visualize the inside of your lungs in real time
• rhinoscopy to examine the nasal passages
• upper gastrointestinal endoscopy to evaluate for GERD

Once the underlying cause is identified, treatment may involve:

• antibiotics, such as azithromycin (Z-Pack), to treat bacterial infections
• decongestants like pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) or the expectorant guaifenesin (Mucinex) to thin mucus and ease coughing
• antihistamines, including cetirizine (Zyrtec), to relieve allergy-related symptoms
• an inhaler or nebulized bronchodilator therapy to open airways during asthma attacks or coughing fits
• antacids for relief of GERD symptoms
• proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole (Prilosec) to decrease stomach acid production and allow the esophagus to heal
• guided breathing exercises, particularly for bronchitis or chronic lung conditions

In addition to medical treatment, some people look for supportive strategies. For example, if irritation is mild or related to throat sensitivity, you may find relief by learning How to stop a tickly cough instantly, especially when symptoms first begin.

Home remedies for coughing fits

You can also take practical steps at home to help reduce the severity and frequency of coughing episodes:

• Drink at least 64 ounces of water daily to stay well hydrated and help thin mucus.
• Bathe regularly and maintain good hygiene to reduce bacterial spread.
• Wash your hands frequently to prevent the buildup and transmission of germs.
• Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air, which may soothe irritated airways and loosen mucus. Avoid overuse, as excessive humidity can promote bacterial growth.
• If vomiting occurs, eat smaller, more frequent meals to minimize stomach volume.
• Avoid exposure to tobacco smoke and fumes from cooking or fireplaces.
• Limit close contact with others if you have a bacterial infection. This includes 5 days of isolation after starting antibiotics. Wear a mask if interaction is necessary.
• Steer clear of heavily scented products like air fresheners, candles, cologne, or perfume, which may irritate sensitive airways.

If coughing worsens at bedtime, exploring What helps a tickly cough at night may improve sleep quality and reduce nighttime coughing disruptions.

Preventing paroxysmal coughing

Paroxysmal coughing caused by whooping cough is particularly common in young children. Receiving the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTaP) or tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap) vaccine significantly lowers the risk of infection from pertussis bacteria.

If someone in your household has whooping cough, avoid close physical contact until they have completed at least 5 days of antibiotic treatment.

Additional preventive strategies include:

• Avoid smoking tobacco or inhaling other harmful substances.
• Sleep with your head elevated to reduce the likelihood of mucus or stomach acid moving into your throat.
• Engage in regular physical activity to support lung function and help maintain a healthy weight, which can reduce GERD risk.
• Eat slowly and chew each bite at least 20 times to promote proper digestion.
• Use an essential oil diffuser cautiously to help open airways. Discontinue use if symptoms worsen.
• Practice relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation to improve breath control, strengthen immunity, and decrease acid reflux triggers.

These lifestyle adjustments can complement medical care and may help reduce the recurrence of severe coughing spells.

When to see a doctor

Consult a doctor promptly if your paroxysmal coughing fits continue for more than a week or become more intense and frequent.

Seek emergency medical assistance if you experience:

• coughing up blood
• vomiting
• difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
• lips, tongue, face, or skin turning blue
• loss of consciousness
• fever
• chills

These symptoms may indicate a serious infection or underlying condition requiring urgent evaluation.

Takeaway

Paroxysmal coughing can arise from multiple causes, most commonly a pertussis infection. In some cases, symptoms resolve on their own. In others — such as asthma or TB — prompt treatment or ongoing management is essential.

If you’re trying to determine How to stop uncontrollable coughing, the first step is identifying the root cause. A persistent cough that disrupts daily life or makes breathing difficult should not be ignored. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment greatly reduce the risk of complications and help restore normal breathing patterns.