What Causes Coughing After Running?

Coughing after running is relatively common in runners of all abilities. In fact, some causes of coughing don’t differentiate between running or fitness levels.

That’s why it’s important to pay attention to your symptoms. Ask yourself how often they occur, and if you’re able to get relief with at-home treatments.

With your symptoms in mind, here are six reasons why you might be coughing after running.

1. Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction

If your coughing is chronic and not caused by illness or another medical condition, you may be dealing with a temporary constriction of your airways.

“Typically, a transient cough after running is caused by a hyperreactive response (from the lungs) to an increased heart rate that occurs with activities such as exercise,” said Dr. David Erstein, a board certified allergist and immunologist working with Advanced Dermatology PC.

Simply stated, your airways temporarily constrict, which can cause you to cough. This is referred to as exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI).

“EIB typically peaks approximately 10 to 15 minutes after beginning to exercise and resolves within 60 minutes,” said Erstein. This is different from a prolonged response you might see with asthma.

Symptoms of cough are common in EIB but may also include shortness of breath and chest tightness.

2. Seasonal allergies

Seasonal allergies are another possible trigger for coughing after running.

If you run outdoors when the pollen count is high, you may experience:

• sneezing
• wheezing
• coughing

That’s because pollen is the most obvious springtime allergy offender, according to the American Lung Association. If you have both asthma and allergies, a reaction can make it more difficult to breathe.

3. Postnasal drip

The common cold, allergies, sinus infections, or irritants in the air are all possible triggers of postnasal drip.

Postnasal drip causes a steady trickle of mucus from the back of the sinuses. When this happens, your throat becomes irritated, and you end up with a cough.

Running outdoors can result in excess postnasal drip, making this cough worse.

4. Acid reflux

Erstein says laryngopharyngeal reflux, a type of acid reflux, is another reason people may cough during exercise. This happens when the acids of your stomach creep up to your throat and induce a cough.

Unlike the cough with EIB, this one is a chronic, long-term cough.

5. Running in cold weather

When you run outdoors in cold, dry weather, symptoms of EIB or chronic cough can be triggered by quickly breathing in air that’s drier than what’s already in your body.

According to 2018 research, cold weather may induce chronic inflammation. Cold weather may affect people with a pre-existing respiratory disease more than people without one.

6. Vocal cord dysfunction

When your vocal cords don’t open correctly, a doctor may diagnose you with vocal cord dysfunction. According to the ACAAI, this can cause symptoms such as:

• coughing
• wheezing
• difficulty breathing at rest
• difficulty breathing while engaging in a physical activity such as running

Getting a proper diagnosis from a doctor is key to treating a cough, especially since the causes of coughing after running can range from a medical condition to environmental factors.

“Your doctor will go through your medical history and ask pertinent questions that can help differentiate the cause of the cough,” said Dr. Elizabeth Barchi, a sports medicine specialist at Christiana Care.

If your doctor believes you may have EIB, Erstein says they’ll look at the combination of compatible clinical symptoms such as:

• exercise-related coughing
• shortness of breath
• wheezing

They’ll also review objective tests such as lung function tests that evaluate the lungs at baseline and in response to exercise (aka, exercise challenge).

Although having an asthma diagnosis makes you more prone to developing EIB, research has found that approximately 5% to 20% of the general population (people without asthma) have EIB.

This number increases significantly in people with asthma and accounts for 90% of EIB cases.

Most of the triggers that cause coughing after running can be prevented or managed. With that in mind, here are some of the best ways to tackle that post-run cough.

Avoid running in cold weather

Since dry or cold air can cause airway hyperresponsiveness, Erstein says running when it’s warm outside or more humid can help.

If you do choose to head outdoors in the cold weather, be sure to wear a mask or scarf to cover your mouth and nose.

Consider running indoors

If seasonal allergies like pollen are the reason you’re coughing after running, you may want to head indoors and run on a treadmill or indoor track.

Although it’s not ideal — especially when the weather is nice — alternating indoor and outdoor running can help lower the severity of your allergy symptoms.

Additionally, before you head outdoors, make sure to check the air quality. If the pollen count is high, stay inside.

Use an inhaler

Aside from prevention methods, Erstein says sometimes EIB is treated with albuterol, a short-acting medication that can temporarily open up your airways.

An inhaler is recommended for use 30 minutes before exercise.

Wear a face covering

If bouts of coughing are getting in the way of your training program, you may want to consider wearing a face covering on your next run. Using a face mask or other covering can help keep the air moist and filter out large particles, Barchi says.

Research from 2020 found that wearing masks during exercise is generally safe for healthy people. People with chronic lung disease, such as pulmonary hypertension or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), should speak with a healthcare professional before deciding to use a mask when exercising.

According to one randomized controlled trial, wearing face coverings during exercise can contribute to perceived discomfort. If you feel discomfort when wearing a cloth face mask, consider changing the frequency, intensity, and duration of your exercise. You may also try several types of face masks to find one that’s most comfortable for you.

Rest if you’re sick

If you’re coughing because you’re sick from a respiratory illness, Barchi says to take the time to rest from running and instead work on stretching or light strength training while your body recovers.

Use OTC medications

When your cough is caused by postnasal drip, you may want to consider an over-the-counter (OTC) oral decongestant, antihistamine, or guaifenesin, which thins the mucus.

If you’re not sure which one is appropriate, talk with a pharmacist or healthcare professional before taking any of these products.

Occasional coughing after running, especially if it’s related to seasonal allergies or postnasal drip, is something you can manage on your own. But if symptoms are prolonged or more than mild, you should see a doctor.

Is it normal to cough after running?

Yes. Experiencing a cough after running or another exercise is common.

How long does runner’s cough last?

According to Erstein, runner’s cough can last up to 60 minutes but can sometimes last longer.

How can I strengthen my lungs for running?

There are several ways to strengthen your lungs for running. Try one of the following:

• Breathing exercises
• Interval training
• High altitude training or hypoxic training masks

Coughing after running is fairly common and, in general, doesn’t indicate a significant health problem. That said, if you’ve tried at-home changes such as skipping running when the pollen count is high or wearing a face covering, you may want to consider a trip to a doctor.

They’ll be able to take a health history and determine if you have EIB. As always, don’t hesitate to call a doctor’s office if you have any concerns about your health.