What can cause uncontrollable coughing?

Coughing is the body's way of trying to rid the lungs of foreign matter that can cause illness. Sometimes, a cough can be so severe you vomit. Severe coughing can be an indication of an underlying condition like pneumonia, sinus infection, or a lung infection. read more

In an attempt to clear excessive mucus from the throat there is a persistent and uncontrollable cough. Smoking, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and allergies can cause postnasal drip. 5. Asthma. Asthma is a common and chronic disease that causes uncontrollable coughing and reversible constriction of the airways in the lungs. read more

Fairly rare causes of uncontrollable coughing: Lung cancer, the vast majority of people with a cough do not have lung cancer, but hypochondriacs love to worry about this. Your cough is probably just a cold or allergies, don't worry about cancer. Lung cancer can cause a vicious cough, as seen in the TV show Breaking Bad. Don't smoke, kids. read more

The more common cause of coughing fits in children is whooping cough while in adults it is bronchiectasis. Croup in children may cause sudden bursts of coughing. Various other conditions which may be more prevalent can cause episodes of coughing that are similar to uncontrollable coughing fits. read more