<s>[INST] When I get a cold with a cough - coughing spells frequently go to the point of gagging and bringing up frothy saliva.  This can last for several minutes and with the cold I have now - several times a day - usually at night or early in the morning.  This gagging becomes very painful in the neck.  I am 57 yrs old - generally good health and not on any regular medications [/INST] Hi thanks for asking question. First coughing with cold can be because of viral influenza infection of respiratory tract. It should be treated symptomatically. Here if cough with expectoration and low grade fever chest x-ray done for pneumonia or sputum examination for tuberculosis. Chronic irritation to respiratory tract can bring cough like chronic smoking or allergic bronchitis like condition. In allergic condition CBC might show eosinophilic ... So avoid smoking if habit. Chat Doctor.  Onion, ginger like herbal remedy good for respiratory tract. Avoid excess spicy food. Cough spells sometimes might be neurogenic. If needed throat swab can be taken and tested in laboratory for further work up. I hope my suggestion will help you. Take care... </s>