Does Drinking Has Any Effect On Cough?

Hi, my papaw has had a cough for about 3 weeks. But this last week he has blacked out 4 times. He will cough really hard 3 or 4 times(sometimes he sneezes), enough that his face is blood red, and then he just blacks out for about 10 to 15 seconds. Right before he blacks out its like he stops breathing. He pushes all his air out and does take another breath, I thought he was choking on his food. He drinks everyday (about 6 beers). Does this have anything to do with it? He has blacked out for 30 years, he had also drank all his life. He is 62. 3 or 4 years ago he blacked out when he came to his foot was broke and he got put in the hospital. And a week later they found mersa on the back of his head.. So he was in the hospital for about 6 months. He had about 17 Doctor look at his case and they couldnt figure out why he was blacking out. So when came home he wasnt drinking or blacking out. but he started drink not long after he got home. And now he is blacking out again. Does anyone know what is causing this?