# Losing my vision when I cough **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 16, 2013, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-my-vision-when-i-cough/655824 "2013-04-16T10:48:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Apocalypso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Apocalypso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apocalypso)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-my-vision-when-i-cough/655824/1 "2013-04-16T10:48:13Z")
Sometimes you cough really hard after inhaling. Approximately a year or so ago I started occasionally “greying out” during these coughing fits. My vision fades to grey then black and I can’t see anything at all for approximately 5-10 seconds although I can still move and talk. Then it returns to normal, although I am sometimes a little dizzy for a while. It’s always during really hard coughing but not every time. It happens approximately once every 3 or 4 weeks (I haven’t kept track). It seems to be occurring more frequently now than it did when it first started. I have the flu right now and a cough to go with it. Was driving home from work a couple days ago, not smoking at the time, and it happened. Started coughing and couldn’t see for a few seconds. Someone else was with me and I could hear them asking if I was all right. I said “no” and pulled over and let them drive. This really worries me, enough that I’m afraid to drive now. ---
**Author:** ![nikonikosuru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5f8ce5/32.png) [@nikonikosuru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nikonikosuru)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-my-vision-when-i-cough/655824/2 "2013-04-16T11:30:39Z")
That isn’t normal, even when you’re sick. Go to the doctor. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-my-vision-when-i-cough/655824/3 "2013-04-16T11:51:50Z")
Moved MPSIMS --\> IMHO, home of medical threads. [non-mod] See a doctor. [/nonmod] ---
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-my-vision-when-i-cough/655824/4 "2013-04-16T12:50:02Z")
IANAD. Coughing can cause short term elevations in blood pressure. Blood pressure then typically returns to normal (whatever it was before the cough). Some people have a faulty [vasovagal response](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasovagal_response) resulting in difficulty with the fine tune regulation of blood pressure. In such people the blood pressure and/or heart rate can get a bit out of synch and result in many symptoms including visual disturbances and fainting. Coughing is one of the many possible triggers to set off this process. It sounds to me like \*\*Apocalypso \*\* may be experiencing this phenomena. ---
**Author:** ![Apocalypso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Apocalypso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apocalypso)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-my-vision-when-i-cough/655824/5 "2013-04-16T13:13:12Z")
I have called my doctor to try to get an appointment mostly for my other symptoms (I have an ear infection and flu symptoms) but intend to fully discuss this with him. I am waiting for him to call me back. I posted this because this scares me and was wondering if anyone else has had this same experience and knows or has any idea what it is. The link **Iggy** posted does sound very similar to what I am experiencing. ---
**Author:** ![Saraya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Saraya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saraya)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-my-vision-when-i-cough/655824/6 "2013-04-16T13:43:03Z")
> [@Iggy](#): > > IANAD. > > Coughing can cause short term elevations in blood pressure. Blood pressure then typically returns to normal (whatever it was before the cough). > > Some people have a faulty [vasovagal response](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasovagal_response) resulting in difficulty with the fine tune regulation of blood pressure. In such people the blood pressure and/or heart rate can get a bit out of synch and result in many symptoms including visual disturbances and fainting. Coughing is one of the many possible triggers to set off this process. It sounds to me like \*\*Apocalypso \*\* may be experiencing this phenomena. Great post ; thanks for being helpful. ---
**Author:** ![Doggo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/87869e/32.png) [@Doggo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doggo)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-my-vision-when-i-cough/655824/7 "2013-04-16T15:46:14Z")
Why are you wasting time posting when you should be getting that checked out, pronto. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-my-vision-when-i-cough/655824/8 "2013-04-16T15:47:40Z")
> [@Doggo](#): > > Why are you wasting time posting when you should be getting that checked out, pronto. He’s waiting for the doctor to call him back… ---
**Author:** ![Apocalypso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Apocalypso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apocalypso)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-my-vision-when-i-cough/655824/9 "2013-04-16T20:50:31Z")
Just got back from the doctors. The diagnosis was Vasovagal response, what Iggy said. Doc said it’s a fairly common issue that a lot of people experience. She said if I “feel it coming on” while driving I should pull over immediately until it passes. Other than the risk of injuring yourself if you lose consciousness it is not a major problem and there isn’t really much I can do about it. ---
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-my-vision-when-i-cough/655824/10 "2013-04-17T10:26:25Z")
There are a variety of conditions related to a faulty vasovagal response, depending upon the trigger, the severity, and whether it is primary the heart rate or the blood pressure (or both) that gets out of whack. If a profoundly slow heart rate is the cause then a pacemaker may be warranted, depending upon severity and frequency of episodes. If it is primarily a blood pressure issue then staying well hydrated may help reduce incidents and some medications might help. The [Dysautonomia Information Network](http://www.dinet.org/NCS/ncs.htm) is a good resource for further information on these conditions. The severity is not necessarily linked with one particular trigger. Imagine fainting every time you stand up as you get out of bed. Makes those nighttime trips to the bathroom a real adventure!