6) Chronic Coughing
Another important reflex of the gastrointestinal tract that deserves special consideration in esophageal cancer is coughing. This is a crucial defence to prevent infants and people in general from inhaling food or liquids to the lungs. When food or liquids are stuck in the esophagus, and they happen to be close to the airways, the coughing reflex would immediately activate to expel them out and prevent choking with food. Since the whole esophagus tissue becomes affected with cancer, these patients may also trigger coughing independent from having or not food stuck in the gastrointestinal tract.
The esophagus sends an aberrant signal to the nervous system that activates the coughing reflex and causes repeated coughing while eating and at rest. Thus, chronic coughing without a known cause is another symptom you should pay attention to and ask your doctor about your condition. Plenty of ailments may cause chronic coughing, and you would need a professional approach to rule out esophageal cancer and many other possibilities, including asthma, gastroesophageal reflux, lung infections, and certain drugs.
