What could be more irritating than a cough? Cough occurs frequently or is worse at night. It affects how well you relax, fall asleep, and get the rest you need to recover.
„During sleep, the body regulates the production of cytokines, which signal proteins produced by the immune system to fight invading pathogens such as viruses and bacteria,“ said Evernorth's MDLIVE Deputy Chief Medical Officer says Vontrell Roundtree, MD. „Waking up frequently during the night with a persistent cough can impair your sleep quality and affect your body's cytokine regulation, making it harder for your immune system to fight disease and recover.“
Coughing can not only affect your ability to overcome the illness that causes the cough, but can also cause further symptoms that further affect your night's rest. „Coughing can also lead to dry throat and mouth, postnasal drip, and physical discomfort, which can lead to a less restful sleep experience,“ Roundtree says.
Coughing at night can occur for a variety of reasons and can make your symptoms worse. It can be caused by lung or airway problems such as infections, postnasal drip, allergies, or asthma. These can cause a cough, which can be worse at night, says Samuel Mathis, M.D., assistant professor in the department of family medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch. For example, „in the case of a lung infection, lying down helps the cilia (tiny 'hairs' in the lungs) to more effectively expel mucus from the lungs, and the cough reflex helps us to remove excess mucus. “It’s a physical challenge,” he said. he says.
Roundtree says, „Moving around during the day helps your body loosen trapped mucus. When you lie down to rest at night, this position makes it more difficult for your body to naturally remove this mucus.“ , the result is what's called postnasal drip, which means nasal secretions can build up in the back of your throat and cause that pesky cough.“
Coughing at night can also be a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or acid reflux. „Gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs when stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus, irritates its lining, and can reach the back of the throat,“ Roundtree says. „The act of lying down can make reflux worse, which of course can increase coughing,“ says Dr. Sarah McBain, associate dean for pharmaceutical education at the University of California, Irvine School of Pharmacy.
„To combat nighttime cough due to gastroesophageal reflux disease, tilt your body to prevent mucus buildup and allow for a more restful and less interrupted night's sleep,“ she says.
Other conditions that can cause coughing attacks include heart failure and sleep apnea, Dr. Mathis says.
You may also experience a nighttime cough while taking medications such as ACE inhibitors, which treat high blood pressure. These are known to have the side effect of dry cough, Mathis said.
Our bodies' circadian rhythms, or internal clocks that help manage important bodily functions such as sleep and immune responses, may also play a role, Roundtree said. „Some parts of your immune system are more active during the night and early morning hours, which explains why you feel your worst during those hours. This natural response helps fight off disease-causing bacteria. But in the meantime, it can also cause many symptoms of the disease, including stuffy nose, fever, and increased coughing at night.“
How you deal with a nighttime cough depends on the severity and cause of the cough, Roundtree says. She recommends seeking medical attention if your cough persists, is very severe, or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms.
Until then, try these expert tips for dealing with a mild cough at night.
- Stay hydrated. This loosens the mucus and makes it easier to expel, Roundtree says. Make sure to keep your body well hydrated. This can be achieved by drinking water as needed and eating water-rich foods such as melons, pineapples, strawberries, and oranges.
- Drink herbal tea with honey and lemon. Mathis recommends tea for coughs caused by upper respiratory infections, allergies, and postnasal drip. „A simple treatment that is very effective for coughs is a nighttime herbal tea with honey and lemon,“ says Dr. Mathis. „Honey coats the throat and helps prevent irritation and the cough reflex. Lemon has anti-inflammatory properties and may help with coughing,“ says Roundtree. You can also try other hot teas as they may help.
- take honey. According to Roundtree, it's a natural cough suppressant that can help reduce cough frequency and cough severity. „Think of natural or locally sourced honey as a bonus,“ she says.
- cough drops. These can serve as a short-term solution to soothe an irritated throat and stop a stubborn cough, Roundtree says. „They cause your mouth to produce more saliva, which coats your throat and relieves itching.“
- take a steam shower. Roundtree says the steam from your shower moistens the air, which helps open your airways and loosen secretions in your nose. Take a steam shower before bed to relieve your cough and relax your body for a better night's sleep.
- think about what and when to eat. If your nighttime cough is due to gastroesophageal reflux disease, McBain recommends eating heavy, spicy, fatty foods, late at night, etc., as these can worsen symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease and cause a nighttime cough. It is recommended that you avoid eating. Foods high in fiber, water, and alkalinity may improve symptoms. Therefore, consider eating them at least three hours before bedtime. These foods include bananas, brown rice, sweet potatoes, broccoli, watermelon, carrots, cucumbers, pineapple, and soups.
- Try over-the-counter medications for reflux esophagitis.. „Over-the-counter drug options include antacids, such as Tums, and drugs that block acid production, such as famotidine (Pepcid) and omeprazole (Prilosec),“ says McBain. „These drugs can reduce nighttime coughs associated with reflux by reducing the amount of acid that irritates the throat and causes coughing.“
- Take antihistamines. Antihistamines to control allergies may help with nighttime cough caused by postnasal drip. McBain recommends taking an antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or loratadine (Claritin). She adds that drying nasal secretions can help with coughs associated with postnasal drip. That means less fluid builds up in the back of your throat and irritates the tissues there.
- Lie down with your head up. If your cough is caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease, one of the simplest treatments is to raise the head of your bed by 4 to 6 inches, says Mathis. „A slight tilt is enough to allow gravity to keep stomach acid in your stomach.“ McBain suggests using bricks or blocks to raise the head of your bed.
- use a humidifier. „If your cough is caused by dry air, consider using a humidifier. Try to keep the humidity between 40% and 50%,“ says Mathis. “Exceeding this can make your cough worse and increase your risk of infection.”
- Reduce allergens in your home. If your cough is caused by allergies, reducing the number of allergens around you may help prevent it. Mattis says a big tip is to clean and dust your home regularly to prevent dust buildup. You can also invest in a HEPA filter to remove allergens from the air. If you have pets, have them sleep outside your bedroom. Wash your bedding regularly too.
- Consider over-the-counter (OTC) medications. If all else fails, over-the-counter cough medicines may relieve symptoms, Roundtree says. „Those containing dextromethorphan are best for blocking the cough reflex, while those containing pseudoephedrine can help prevent increased postnasal drip at night.“ Still, she advises medical care before starting the medication. We advise you to consult a specialist.
If you try these tips and your cough doesn't go away, or if it persists for more than a few weeks, McBain recommends seeing your doctor.
Roundtree also recommends seeing a doctor if your cough lasts more than a few days and you have other symptoms, such as chest pain, nausea, wheezing, or high fever. Mattis agreed, saying people should seek medical attention if they cough up blood, have shortness of breath or have swelling in their legs or feet. „It helps identify the cause of the cough and treat the underlying problem.“