What causes persistent nighttime coughing. How can you alleviate coughing at night. Which remedies are most effective for nighttime cough relief. What lifestyle changes can help reduce nocturnal coughing.

Understanding the Causes of Nighttime Coughing

Nocturnal coughing can be a frustrating and disruptive experience, often interfering with restful sleep. Various factors contribute to this nighttime nuisance, ranging from environmental irritants to underlying health conditions. Identifying the root cause is crucial for effective management and treatment.

Common causes of nighttime coughing include:

• Postnasal drip
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Asthma
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Allergies
• Environmental irritants
• Respiratory infections

Is nighttime coughing always a sign of a serious condition. While persistent nocturnal coughing can be concerning, it’s not always indicative of a severe health issue. However, if the cough persists for several weeks or is accompanied by other symptoms, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Environmental Modifications to Reduce Nighttime Coughing

Making changes to your sleeping environment can significantly impact the frequency and severity of nighttime coughing. By addressing potential irritants and optimizing air quality, you can create a more conducive atmosphere for restful sleep.

Humidify Your Bedroom

Dry air can exacerbate coughing by irritating the throat and nasal passages. Using a humidifier can add moisture to the air, potentially soothing the airways and reducing cough triggers. When using a humidifier, it’s important to maintain optimal humidity levels between 40-50% to prevent mold growth, which can worsen respiratory issues.

Manage Allergens and Dust

Allergens and dust particles can trigger coughing, especially in individuals with allergies or sensitivities. Implementing the following strategies can help minimize exposure:

• Use allergen-proof mattress and pillow covers
• Wash bedding weekly in hot water
• Vacuum regularly with a HEPA filter-equipped vacuum cleaner
• Keep pets out of the bedroom
• Remove carpets and opt for hardwood or tile flooring

Consider Air Purification

Air purifiers equipped with HEPA filters can effectively remove airborne particles, including dust, pollen, and pet dander. Recent research indicates that using air purifiers in the bedroom can significantly reduce particle concentration and potentially decrease the need for allergy medications.

Lifestyle Changes to Alleviate Nighttime Coughing

In addition to environmental modifications, certain lifestyle adjustments can help reduce the frequency and severity of nighttime coughing. These changes can address underlying causes and improve overall respiratory health.

Quit Smoking and Avoid Secondhand Smoke

Tobacco smoke is a significant irritant to the respiratory system and a common cause of chronic cough. Quitting smoking can lead to noticeable improvements in cough symptoms within 8 weeks. For non-smokers, avoiding exposure to secondhand smoke is equally important in preventing respiratory irritation.

Elevate Your Head While Sleeping

Lying flat can cause mucus to pool in the back of the throat, triggering coughing. Elevating the head of your bed or using additional pillows can help prevent this postnasal drip and reduce GERD symptoms, both of which can contribute to nighttime coughing.

Maintain Proper Hydration

Staying well-hydrated can help thin mucus secretions, making them easier to expel and potentially reducing cough frequency. Drinking warm liquids before bedtime, such as herbal tea or warm water with honey and lemon, can provide additional soothing effects on the throat.

Natural Remedies for Nighttime Cough Relief

Many individuals prefer to explore natural remedies before turning to medications. While these options may not be suitable for everyone, some people find them effective in managing nighttime coughing.

Honey and Lemon

The combination of honey and lemon has long been used as a natural cough suppressant. Honey’s antibacterial properties and thick consistency can help coat and soothe the throat, while lemon provides vitamin C and may help thin mucus.

Salt Water Gargle

Gargling with warm salt water can help reduce throat inflammation and loosen mucus. This simple remedy may provide temporary relief from coughing and throat irritation.

Herbal Teas

Certain herbal teas, such as ginger, chamomile, and peppermint, may help soothe the throat and reduce coughing. These teas often have anti-inflammatory properties and can provide hydration benefits as well.

Medications and Treatments for Nighttime Coughing

When natural remedies and lifestyle changes prove insufficient, various medications and treatments can help manage nighttime coughing. It’s important to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new medication regimen.

Over-the-Counter Options

Several OTC medications can provide relief from nighttime coughing:

• Cough suppressants (dextromethorphan)
• Expectorants (guaifenesin)
• Antihistamines
• Decongestants

Can OTC cough medications be used long-term. While OTC cough medications can provide short-term relief, they are not intended for prolonged use. Persistent coughing should be evaluated by a healthcare professional to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment.

Prescription Medications

For chronic or severe coughing, a doctor may prescribe medications such as:

• Inhaled corticosteroids
• Bronchodilators
• Proton pump inhibitors (for GERD-related cough)
• Antibiotics (for bacterial infections)

Managing Underlying Conditions to Reduce Nighttime Coughing

Often, nighttime coughing is a symptom of an underlying health condition. Properly managing these conditions can significantly reduce cough frequency and severity.

Asthma Management

For individuals with asthma, nighttime coughing can be a sign of poor symptom control. Working with a healthcare provider to optimize asthma management through proper medication use and trigger avoidance can help reduce nocturnal coughing.

GERD Treatment

Gastroesophageal reflux disease can cause or worsen nighttime coughing. In addition to elevating the head of the bed, dietary modifications and medications prescribed by a doctor can help manage GERD symptoms and reduce associated coughing.

Allergy Control

For those with allergies, proper management through allergen avoidance, immunotherapy, or medication can help reduce allergy-related coughing at night.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Nighttime Coughing

While occasional nighttime coughing is common, persistent or severe coughing may warrant medical attention. It’s important to recognize when professional help is necessary to address underlying issues and prevent complications.

Seek medical attention if you experience:

• Coughing that persists for more than 3 weeks
• Coughing up blood or thick, colored mucus
• Shortness of breath or chest pain
• Unexplained weight loss or fever
• Difficulty sleeping due to coughing

How can you differentiate between a common cough and one that requires medical attention. While duration is a key factor, pay attention to accompanying symptoms and the impact on your daily life. If the cough is significantly affecting your sleep quality or daily activities, it’s best to consult a healthcare provider for proper evaluation and treatment.

Preventive Measures for Long-Term Cough Management

Implementing preventive strategies can help reduce the likelihood of developing chronic nighttime coughing and improve overall respiratory health.

Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

Adopting healthy habits can strengthen your immune system and reduce susceptibility to respiratory infections. Key aspects include:

• Regular exercise
• Balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables
• Adequate sleep
• Stress management

Practice Good Hygiene

Proper hygiene can help prevent the spread of respiratory infections that may lead to coughing:

• Wash hands frequently
• Avoid touching your face
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
• Stay home when ill to prevent spreading infections

Regular Check-ups and Vaccinations

Staying up-to-date with regular health check-ups and recommended vaccinations can help prevent respiratory infections and manage chronic conditions that may contribute to nighttime coughing.

How often should you have your respiratory health evaluated. For most healthy adults, an annual check-up is sufficient. However, individuals with chronic respiratory conditions or frequent coughing episodes may benefit from more frequent evaluations as recommended by their healthcare provider.

By implementing these comprehensive strategies and working closely with healthcare professionals when necessary, individuals suffering from persistent nighttime coughing can find relief and improve their overall quality of sleep and life. Remember that each person’s situation is unique, and what works for one individual may not be as effective for another. Patience and persistence in finding the right combination of remedies and treatments are key to managing nighttime coughing successfully.

22 tips and remedies, plus causes

Coughing can occur at night for various reasons. When it does, it can affect a person’s ability to sleep and get enough rest. But there are ways to relieve a nighttime cough, such as using a humidifier or herbal preparations.

A troublesome cough during the day may seem worse at night, and some coughs worsen when a person lies down. However, various strategies can help a person get a better night’s sleep with a cough.

These strategies include:

• using a humidifier
• reducing exposure to allergens
• managing acid reflux, asthma, and other underlying conditions
• drinking honey and lemon
• using medications, including herbal preparations
• salt water gargle or saline irrigation
• raising the head
• quitting smoking or avoiding tobacco smoke

In this article, learn about 22 ways to reduce or ease nighttime coughing. Inlcuding managing the environment, using medications, lifestyle changes, and natural remedies.

Here are some tips that focus on managing the air people breathe, both in the bedroom and during the day.

1. Try to quit smoking

Exposure to tobacco smoke is the most common environmental cause of chronic cough.

Quitting smoking also lowers the risk of a cough as well GERD, asthma, and other causes of a nighttime cough. A person should see an improvement after 8 weeks of quitting.

A doctor can advise on effective ways to quit and how to use aids such as nicotine patches, gum, and medication.

2. Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke

According to the American Cancer Society, people who do not smoke but spend time in smoky areas are also at risk of a cough, asthma, various lung diseases, and cancers.

Asking others not to smoke and avoiding smoky areas may help reduce irritation and inflammation.

If a person finds it hard to quit, they can still help protect their household by:

• avoiding smoking indoors
• making the car a smoke-free zone
• avoiding places when out with the family or other household members

How does secondhand smoke affect people with asthma?

3.

Try a humidifier

Dry air can irritate the throat and sinuses and make a cough worse. Air conditioning and cooling fans in the summer and heating systems in the winter can make the environment dry.

Using a humidifier at night can add moisture to the air while a person sleeps. This may help soothe the throat and prevent coughing. It is best to use distilled or demineralized water, as tap water can leave particles when it evaporates.

However, too much moisture can contribute to mold growth. Mold can be an allergen and cause more coughing.

A humidity level of about 40–50% is suitable for a bedroom, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.

4. Manage allergens

Allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to a generally harmless substance. Indoor allergens include mold, pet dander, and dust. They can lead to sneezing, stuffiness, and coughing.

Some ways to decrease allergy-related coughing in the bedroom are:

• using an asthma and allergy-friendly vacuum cleaner once or twice weekly to remove dust
• putting an allergy cover on the mattress
• showering before bed to remove outdoor allergens, such as pollen
• keeping pets out of the bedroom

5.

Reducing dust

Dust in the bedroom can make symptoms worse at night.

Here are some tips for reducing dust and dust mites, another common allergen:

• avoiding wall-to-wall carpets, soft furniture, stuffed toys, and other items that collect dust
• washing bedding in hot water once a week
• ventilating the space
• preventing damp, as mold increases dust

What is a dust mite allergy?

6. Keep windows closed

Depending on where a person lives, keeping the windows closed may help reduce allergic reactions and coughing at night.

Keeping the windows closed may help eliminate dust, air pollution, and pollen from the sleeping area.

7. Use an air filter

Air filters and air purifiers can help remove particles from the air.

Research from 2020 looked at the effect of using air filters in the bedroom for 6 weeks on people with allergic rhinitis.

Results suggested that an air purifier fitted with a HEPA filter can significantly lower both the concentration of particles in the air and the need for medication in people with this condition.

How do you choose a good air purifier?

8. Raise the head of the bed

Coughing often worsens at night because a person is lying flat in bed. Mucus can pool in the back of the throat and cause coughing.

Sleeping with the head elevated can reduce the symptoms of postnasal drip and GERD. Both can cause coughing at night.

One study suggests that raising the head of the bed may be a safe alternative to using GERD medications, although more studies are needed.

A person can prop up the head of their bed using:

• an adjustable bed
• additional pillows
• blocks under the legs of the bed
• a back wedge

A change in sleep position can allow mucus to flow without causing coughing.

There are many herbal and natural remedies for a cough. Always check first with a doctor, as there is not enough scientific research to confirm that many natural remedies are effective and safe, and they may interact with other therapies.

Remedies such as essential oils and honey will not cure an underlying condition. A person with a severe cough will need medical treatment, too.

Learn about 12 natural cough remedies.

9. Drink lemon with honey

Drinking lemon with honey before bed may help soothe the throat and reduce irritation. According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service, it has a similar effect to cough medicines.

Honey is not suitable for children under 12 months due to the risk of botulism, a form of food poisoning.

10. Ivy leaf

Some cough mixtures contain natural expectorants, such as the extract of ivy leaf (Hedera helix).

A 2020 study involving 118 people concluded that using ivy leaf cough syrup for 7 days improved symptoms of acute bronchitis and various cough-associated sleep disorders. It may be a safe and effective therapy for both children and adults.

Ivy leaf appears to loosen and thin mucus in the same way as acetylcysteine, another treatment for managing mucus, but with fewer side effects.

11. Thyme and primrose

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is an herb with antispasmodic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant properties. The active ingredient in thyme is thymol.

Primrose (Primula officinalis) also has similar properties and is also an expectorant, helping the body expel mucus.

In 2016, researchers found that a medication containing primrose, thyme, and thymol effectively reduced cough in people with respiratory tract infections.

12. Essential oils

Essential oils may help reduce cough and other symptoms of bronchitis, bronchiolitis, and other upper respiratory tract infections.

Oils of the following plants have shown promise in reducing cough:

• anise
• bitter fennel fruit
• eucalyptus
• peppermint

Add a few drops of eucalyptus or peppermint to water and use for inhalation.

Always check first with a doctor, as essential oils may not be safe for everyone. It is also crucial to follow the instructions for each oil and to use them correctly. Always keep them out of reach of children and pets.

What is aromatherapy?

Although research suggests that essential oils may have some health benefits, it is important to remember that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not monitor or regulate the purity or quality of these. A person should talk with a healthcare professional before using essential oils, and they should be sure to research the quality of a brand’s products. A person should always do a patch test before trying a new essential oil.

13. Gargle with warm salt water before bed

Many people use a saltwater gargle to ease a sore or irritated throat. There is some evidence that it may help prevent or manage infections by flushing out unwanted particles and pathogens from the throat.

In 2021, some scientists concluded that using a saltwater gargle may help manage COVID-19, but more studies are needed.

To make a saltwater gargle, a person can mix a teaspoon of salt in about 6 ounces of warm water and gargle a few times before bed. A person should spit out the saltwater after gargling.

14. Use a saline nasal spray

A doctor may recommend a saline or steroid nasal spray to irrigate the nasal passages and the upper airway. A saline spray contains a specially prepared solution of salt and water.

A saline nasal spray may help:

• flush out particles in the nasal passages
• remove mucus and pathogens from the back of the throat
• manage chronic inflammatory conditions, such as sino-rhinitis
• prevent upper respiratory tract infections

According to a 2015 review, there is not enough evidence to prove that irrigating with a saline solution is effective. However, some trials have shown it can reduce nasal secretions, improve nasal breathing, and lower the need for medications.

Research from 2017 looked at data for 45 people with a dust mite allergy who used normal saline nasal-pharyngeal irrigation for 30 days. At the end of the study period, they reported better relief from their cough with normal saline compared with nasal corticosteroids.

15. NetiKriya

This is a yoga-based treatment and one of the six cleansing techniques, or Shatkarmas, of Hatha yoga.

Similar to saltwater gargle or saline irrigation, the practice of Jala Neti uses a neti pot, a small pot filled with lukewarm saltwater with a spout for inserting the water into the nose.

In NetiKriya, a person takes the water into one side of the nose and then blows it back out through the other side of the nose.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggests the following technique for using a neti pot:

1. Leaning over a sink, tilt the head sideways so that the forehead and chin are level.
2. Insert the spout into the upper nostril while breathing through the mouth.
3. Allow the water to drain down through the lower nostril.
4. Clear the nostrils and repeat on the other side.

It is an ancient practice that may help manage rhinosinusitis, a common cause of a cough.

The use of neti pots may not be safe for everyone, and people should check first with a doctor before using one. Always use purified water, as there is a risk of infection with tap water.

The FDA also urges people to ensure their hands and all equipment are clean.

NetiKriya is not suitable for those susceptible to ear infections.

How does a sinus flush work?

Cough medications are available over the counter (OTC) or as a prescription. Prescription drugs are stronger.

These products may have side effects and interact with other drugs. A person should discuss their choices with a doctor or pharmacist first. It is also essential to choose the right sort for the person’s age and the type of cough they have.

Some formulations are especially for nighttime coughs and contain ingredients that help a person sleep, such as Tylenol cold plus flu plus cough night.

16. Cough suppressants

Cough suppressants block the cough reflex. They are available as OTC or prescription drugs. Some prescription cough suppressants contain codeine and are unsuitable for children aged 17 and under.

Which drugs help with a dry cough?

17. Expectorants

Expectorants include products such as guaifenesin (Mucinex). They thin the mucus in the lungs, making it easier to cough up. By helping cough the mucus up, an expectorant may shorten how long a cough lasts.

They can help treat upper respiratory tract infections and chronic respiratory diseases, including COPD.

18. Use a steroid nasal spray

A steroid spray, such as fluticasone propionate (Flonase), contains corticosteroid medications. These help reduce inflammation, and doctors sometimes prescribe them for people with nonallergic rhinitis. A steroid spray may also help manage a postnasal drip.

However, corticosteroid use can have adverse effects, including a possible worsening of asthma symptoms. It is essential to follow a doctor’s instructions when using a steroid spray.

19. Vaccinations

Following a doctor’s recommendations about vaccinations can help prevent diseases that cause a cough.

For people aged 19 years and over, these include the annual flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.

Following the immunization schedule for infants and children can help protect them from diseases such as whooping cough.

What to know about the COVID-19 vaccine.

Various health conditions can cause a nighttime cough. They include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), a postnatal drip, and asthma.

A doctor may carry out tests to identify an underlying cause and treat it appropriately.

Seeking treatment and following the treatment plan for these conditions can help manage them and address a cough.

20. Seek treatment for GERD

GERD is a digestive disorder that causes regurgitation and heartburn. It happens when a sphincter (valve) in the esophagus becomes weak.

It can lead to throat irritation and coughing, especially at night when lying down.

A doctor may recommend:

• eating smaller meals more often and not eating from 3 hours before bedtime
• raising the head of the bed at night
• avoiding substances that trigger symptoms, such as chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco

A doctor may also prescribe medications to manage symptoms.

21. LPR and postnasal drip

A common cause of a postnasal drip is LPR, sometimes called silent reflux. This is similar to GERD but does not cause heartburn. Instead, it can cause a postnasal drip, a cough, and a feeling like there is a lump in the throat.

People with LPR should:

• avoid trigger foods, such as spicy and fatty foods, chocolate, and alcohol
• avoid eating for 3 hours before bedtime
• sleep with the head of the bed raised

Polyps and other conditions can also cause a nighttime cough due to a postnasal drip.

22. Manage asthma

Using an air purifier and avoiding allergens can help manage asthma, but asthma is a potentially life threatening condition that needs medical attention.

Medication for asthma comes in different forms, such as pills and inhalers.

Some inhalers contain medications to open the airways, which may ease coughing and make breathing easier. Some are for regular, long-term use, and others provide rapid relief.

What are the treatments for asthma?

A cough can happen at any time, but some types of cough seem worse at night.

People with the following conditions may find their cough worsens at night or when they lie down:

• GERD
• postnatal drip
• chronic bronchitis
• bronchiectasis
• heart failure
• asthma

Other causes of a cough include:

• allergies
• respiratory tract infections such as a cold, the flu, COVID-19, and tuberculosis (TB)
• cystic fibrosis
• hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis
• breathing in lung irritants, including tobacco smoke, some chemicals, and air pollution
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis
• post-infectious cough, which lingers after another illness, such as the flu or COVID-19
• the use of various drugs, including angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, beta-blockers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), methotrexate, amiodarone, and others

Sometimes, a cough needs urgent medical attention, such as with a pulmonary embolism or pneumothorax (collapsed lung). Both can cause a dry cough and make breathing difficult.

A person should see a doctor if they have a cough and any of the following symptoms:

• a fever
• a persistent cough
• coughing up blood
• wheezing
• chest pain
• trouble breathing
• any severe or worsening symptoms

It is always a good idea to seek medical help if a person has a cough or other symptoms that are causing concern.

The outlook will depend on the cause.

Quitting smoking may improve a cough after a few weeks. Some conditions, such as GERD, should improve with treatment, but a cough that occurs with asthma may be present throughout a person’s life.

A cough from a cold or the flu usually goes away after 3–4 weeks. A post-infectious cough usually lasts 3–8 weeks, but it can last longer. A cough that persists after COVID-19 may last several months.

A nighttime cough can be distressing. If it causes sleep loss, it can affect a person’s mental and physical health.

Seeking help for a nighttime cough and following up on treatment for an underlying disorder can help improve the outlook.

Here are some answers to questions people often ask about stopping a cough.

What causes a nighttime cough?

There are many causes of a cough, and some are worse at night, including asthma and postnasal drip. Carpets, soft furnishings, bedding, and soft toys are common in bedrooms and all act as dust traps, which increases the risk. Lying flat in bed can also cause mucus to collect in the airway, making coughing more likely.

How can I stop it?

Many strategies may help stop a nighttime cough. They include hydrating the room, removing dust, keeping windows closed to keep out pollution and allergens, salt water nasal irrigation, herbal remedies, and prescription and OTC cough suppressants. Often, however, the most important action is to avoid smoking and address any underlying health conditions.

A cough can develop for many reasons. Some go away within a few days, while others persist or come and go throughout a person’s life. At night, some types of cough become worse.

Raising the head of the bed can help resolve some types of nighttime cough. Other tips depend on the cause. With GERD, LPR, and other causes of a postnasal drip, avoiding eating close to bedtime may help. Keeping a room clear of dust may help those with asthma and other allergies.

Anyone with a persistent nighttime cough should speak with a doctor, as there may be an underlying cause that needs addressing.

Read the article in Spanish.

8 possible causes and treatments

A morning cough can occur due to an illness or another health condition, such as allergies or asthma. But if the cough lingers, you may need medical treatment.

Many things can cause a morning cough. Coughing is your body’s way of clearing irritants from your respiratory system. Often, it isn’t a sign of a serious medical condition.

Let’s examine eight potential causes of your morning coughing fits and look at how you can treat them.

While you sleep, phlegm and other irritants can pool in your lungs and throat. When you become active in the morning, the phlegm starts to break up and may trigger a coughing fit.

A cough that produces phlegm is known as a wet cough or productive cough. If it doesn’t produce phlegm, it’s called a dry cough or unproductive cough. Knowing which type you have can help you narrow down the cause.

If you have a cough in the morning, the common cold is a likely cause. The average American has two to three colds per year, and children usually have more. A persistent wet cough is one of the most common symptoms.

Many people find their cough is worse in the morning from phlegm that accumulates overnight.

Other symptoms of the common cold include:

• sore throat
• body aches
• fatigue
• headache
• sneezing
• runny nose

Treatment

Treatments for a cough caused by the common cold may include:

• drinking warm tea with honey
• decongestants or antihistamines
• cough suppressants or expectorants
• using a saline nasal spray or breathing in warm vapor to clear mucus that may cause a cough

As your doctor whether these medications, especially those available over the counter, are safe for a child.

Learn more about treatments for the common cold.

Respiratory infections are a group of infections that target either your upper or lower respiratory tracts.

The common cold is a type of respiratory infection, but there are many other types that can also cause a cough, such as COVID-19, the flu (influenza), and pneumonia.

Bronchitis is another type of respiratory infection that causes inflammation of the bronchial tubes in your lungs. It can be either acute or chronic.

Acute bronchitis is usually caused by an infection such as the common cold. Respiratory infections like bronchitis can potentially increase phlegm buildup overnight, leading to coughing fits in the morning.

Along with cold-like symptoms, respiratory infections can cause:

• fever
• general malaise
• wheezing
• chest tightness
• nasal congestion
• gastrointestinal symptoms

Treatment

The treatment for a cough caused by respiratory infection that is not the common cold can depend on the type of infection and whether it affects the upper or lower airway.

In most cases, you can turn to many of the same treatments that you would use for the common cold, as the symptoms can be similar.

If you also have a fever, you may also take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Speak to your doctor before giving your child an NSAID or acetaminophen (Tylenol).

Other treatments may include:

• antiviral therapy
• antibiotics for bacterial infections

Learn more about respiratory infections.

Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) is an immune reaction to airborne allergens such as pollen, pet dander, or dust mites.

Symptoms can include:

• runny nose
• nasal congestion
• dry cough
• headaches
• watery eyes
• wheezing
• shortness of breath

Because dust mites tend to live in bedding, people with dust mite allergies usually experience worse symptoms at night and in the morning.

Pollen counts are generally highest in the morning and may worsen your cough in the morning if you have a pollen allergy.

Treatment

Potential treatments for a cough caused by allergies include:

• antihistamines
• corticosteroids
• decongestants

Learn more about treatments for allergies.

A postnasal drip is one of the reasons allergic rhinitis or a respiratory infection can lead to a cough. This is when your body produces excess mucus that builds up in the back of your nose and drips into your throat. It’s often a symptom of colds, allergies, or eating spicy foods.

Symptoms include:

• a constant feeling of needing to clear your throat
• a wet cough that’s worse at night or in the morning
• nausea
• sore or scratchy throat
• bad breath

Postnasal drip tends to cause the most discomfort at night when you are sleeping. You may still feel the urge to clear your throat when you wake up.

Treatment

You can relieve postnatal drip by:

• using a saline spray or netipot to rinse out your sinuses
• decongestants
• antihistamines
• staying hydrated, which can help thin the mucous

Learn more on how to treat postnasal drip.

Asthma is a chronic condition that causes the airways to your lungs to swell. This swelling can make it difficult to breathe. Asthma severity can range from barely noticeable to life threatening.

The most common symptoms of asthma include:

• dry or wet coughing
• wheezing
• trouble breathing
• chest tightness
• fatigue

Many people with asthma have a cough that’s worse at night or in the early morning. If you have cough-variant asthma (CPA), your symptoms may be entirely confined to a cough that doesn’t seem to go away.

Treatment

If you have asthma, you can control your symptoms using short-acting and long-acting medications. These include:

• inhaled corticosteroids
• bronchodilators
• nebulizers

For more severe asthma, other treatment options are available. Learn more about asthma treatments.

COPD is a group of progressive pulmonary diseases, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

The most common cause of COPD is smoking tobacco. The primary symptoms of COPD are a wet cough and trouble breathing.

Other symptoms include:

• wheezing
• chest tightness
• frequent sickness
• fatigue

Late-stage COPD may cause emergency symptoms, such as:

• bluish lips or gray fingernails from low oxygen levels
• confusion
• inability to catch your breath or talk
• rapid heart rate

Symptoms can appear at any time of day, but in general, people with COPD experience the worst symptoms in the morning.

Treatment

COPD treatment options include:

• quitting smoking (quitting can be difficult, but a doctor can help create a plan that works for you)
• bronchodilators
• oxygen therapy
• surgery

Learn more about treatments for COPD.

Recent research has shown that as much as 85% of chronic cough cases may be caused by GERD. GERD occurs when your stomach acid frequently flows back into your esophagus from your stomach.

Symptoms include:

• chronic cough
• burning in your chest, often after eating
• chest pain
• swallowing difficulty
• feeling of a lump in your throat

GERD commonly causes a cough after eating and when lying down. Some people with GERD may notice their cough is worse in the morning after spending the night lying in bed.

Treatment

Treatment options for GERD include:

• antacids
• medications to reduce stomach acid production
• prescription-strength proton pump inhibitors
• prescription-strength h3 receptor blockers
• surgery

Learn more about treatments for GERD.

If you find you are congested and coughing for a long time, you may have a sinus infection (sinusitis). The congestion in your nose can accumulate overnight, making you cough more when you wake up.

Other symptoms of a sinus infection include:

• postnatal drip
• sore throat
• headache
• bad breath
• pain in your face

Treatment

If your sinus infection is bacterial, you will need to take antibiotics. However, in many cases, a sinus infection can go away on its own.

In the meantime, you can use many of the same treatments that you would use for the common cold, other respiratory infections, allergies, or postnasal drip.

In addition, you can also place a warm compress on your nose and forehead to reduce your sinus pressure and help thin out mucus.

Learn more about treatments for a sinus infection.

If your morning cough doesn’t go away after several weeks, you should visit a doctor for a proper diagnosis.

A morning cough is also frequently paired with other symptoms. If you experience these symptoms, you should speak to a doctor:

• fever of 39°C (102.2°F) or higher in children, 38°C (100.4°F) or higher in a baby under 3 months old, or 39.4°C (103 degrees°F) in an adult
• greenish-yellow phlegm
• wheezing
• unexplained weight loss
• ankle swelling

Other symptoms may be more serious. Seek emergency help if you experience:

• trouble breathing
• severe headache
• dehydration
• fainting
• drowsiness or fatigue lasting longer than 2 weeks
• choking
• confusion
• coughing up blood or phlegm with a pink tint
• trouble swallowing
• chest pain

Medical emergency

Coughing up blood may be a sign of a serious medical issue. You should see a doctor if you see blood in your phlegm. Possible causes include:

• COPD
• lung cancer
• throat irritation
• respiratory infections
• asthma
• bronchitis
• pneumonia

Read on for answers to common questions about morning cough.

How do I stop coughing in the morning?

The best treatment option for your cough depends on the underlying cause. There isn’t a cure for the common cold or for respiratory infections. Getting plenty of rest will help your body fight the infection faster. Cough medication can help suppress your urge to cough, while decongestants can help manage postnasal drip.

How do I know what’s causing my morning cough?

The best way to know the cause of your morning cough is to see a doctor, especially if you also have other symptoms. The doctor will likely listen to your breathing with a stethoscope. They may send a sample of your mucus to a lab to search for a viral infection or measure your lung function with a spirometry test. If this is not enough to identify the cause, they may order imaging tests like an X-ray or a CT scan, or a scope test called a bronchoscopy to look inside your lungs with a small camera.

What’s causing my baby to cough in the morning?

Babies can experience morning coughs for many of the same reasons as adults and older children. When coughing in babies and children is caused by a respiratory infection, it appears in 46%-56% of children. Specific infections that can occur in young children include croup and whooping cough (pertussis).

There are many potential causes of a morning cough. Often, a morning cough isn’t a need for concern.

However, if it persists for more than 2 weeks or if you’re having trouble breathing, it’s a good idea to visit a doctor for a proper diagnosis.

how to stop an attack, causes and treatment at home

• How does a cough occur during a cold?
• How to get rid of night cough?
• How else to help the patient with a night cough?

Nocturnal attacks of coughing do not allow a full rest: the patient does not fall asleep well, wakes up often, which significantly worsens the general condition. A person constantly feels tired, is in a bad mood.

Night cough in an adult can have various causes – including allergies, reflux, asthma, being in a room with dusty air, psychosomatics. But often a cough is a symptom of a cold.

Let’s see why a person coughs at night and how to alleviate a nocturnal cough.

How does a cough occur with a cold?

Cough is a defense mechanism by which the body tries to clear the airways. Cough appears due to the fact that the nerve endings in the nose, pharynx, trachea are irritated. Nerve endings transmit a signal to the cough center, where an impulse is formed. The impulse goes to the muscles of the chest and the press, as a result of which they contract and the person begins to cough.

In many people, the cough during a cold is worse at night. It’s all about the horizontal position during sleep. When a person is lying down, the discharge from the nose, instead of being brought out, flows down the back of the throat. Even a small amount of sputum that has fallen from the nose into the throat causes irritation of the mucous membrane and a desire to cough up. If there is a lot of discharge from the nose, then the person coughs so that the liquid does not enter the lower respiratory tract. As a rule, in this case, the cough intensifies if the person abruptly changes his position, for example, turns to the other side or stands up.

Dry indoor air aggravates the situation. It irritates the mucous membrane, the desire to cough up increases.

How to get rid of a night cough?

The first step in treating adult nocturnal cough is a visit to the doctor.

How to stop a nocturnal cough with medicines?

Lozenges with aloe vera, essential oils, honey help to soothe the mucous membranes, soften it. Antihistamines prescribed by a doctor also give a good effect.

Antivirals and antibiotics do not treat night cough per se. But since they act on the cause of the disease, the cough will pass with the death of the pathogen. However, the selection of such drugs is the task of a specialist.

If a nocturnal cough does not go away even after the disappearance of most symptoms of acute respiratory viral infections, drugs are prescribed that reduce the excitability of receptors and prevent bronchospasm.

How can a warm drink soothe a nocturnal cough?

It is no coincidence that it is advised to drink a lot in case of SARS. Plentiful warm drink mechanically cleanses the throat mucosa from viruses and bacteria, moisturizes it, prevents dehydration of the body (and the drying of the mucous membrane increases in this condition), and also helps to thin the sputum. All this helps to cope with coughing.

However, you need to choose the right drinks. Suitable warm water, herbal tea, dried fruit compote, non-acidic fruit drinks. It is better to refuse carbonated drinks, sour juices, strong tea, coffee: they will only increase irritation and discomfort. You can also use specialized drinks – for example, drink with ginger and lemongrass extract Dyshi ^® . It also contains vitamin C and zinc, which are needed to fight viruses. The drink has a mild natural taste. And it is very easy to prepare it: 2 teaspoons of the powder must be dissolved in 200 ml of hot water. This is a great option if you are not feeling well and there are no relatives at home who could prepare fruit drinks. In addition, due to its ease of preparation, it can be prepared and drunk at night to calm a coughing fit.

How can rinsing the nose help cure a nocturnal cough?

In case of a runny nose, clean the nose (and therefore reduce the amount of mucus flowing down the back of the throat) will help washing with solutions with sea water. They remove viruses and bacteria from the mucosa, soothe and moisturize it. It is better to rinse the nose immediately before going to bed so that the effect lasts longer.

• If the air in the room is too warm and dry, the cough will drag on for a long time. Ventilation and humidification of the air will help to correct the situation. The optimum air temperature in the room is from 18 to 22 ° C (not higher than 24 ° C). To humidify the air, you can use special devices or folk remedies (for example, a wet towel on a battery).
• Sleep in a position where your head is higher than your chest. You can use, for example, not one, but two pillows.
• Folk recipes also help to reduce irritation in the throat – for example, you can dissolve a spoonful of honey before going to bed. With resorption, the amount of saliva increases, which means that the airways are additionally moistened. However, it is worth remembering that honey can provoke allergies.

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Why does coughing torment me at night: the therapist named 5 main reasons

• Health

If a cough occurs, it is always unpleasant. But when it is impossible to sleep normally from coughing fits, the situation becomes more complicated. Moreover, diseases are not always the cause, in some cases the problem is in the environment.

July 24, 2022

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iStockphoto

Cough itself is not a separate disease, but just a symptom of various pathologies. Most often, it occurs as a result of irritation of specific receptors inside the respiratory tract. But in some cases, it becomes a manifestation of problems with the heart, blood vessels, digestion or nervous system. Cough itself is considered one of the body’s defense mechanisms against negative external influences and various pathogenic agents that enter the body.

Although the body is trying to protect itself from infection and foreign particles in the respiratory tract, if you suffer from a cough every night, your sleep and performance will be severely disrupted. Therefore, it is important to identify the causes of coughing. “Doctor Peter” found out why a nocturnal cough may occur by asking questions to the therapist of the Moscow clinic, Nikolai Ryabkov.

If the cause is in your environment

Cough is a defensive reaction of the body aimed at clearing the airways. One of its varieties is considered to be a nocturnal cough. Moreover, by nature it can be both dry and wet. Its causes are quite diverse, and it is far from always a cold or any serious pathology. Let’s look at the most common factors that provoke nocturnal coughing attacks.

The physiological cause may be cold or excessively dry indoor air. In this case, it is enough to change the temperature in the room or humidify the air so that the coughing attacks at night stop.

Read also

Pathological causes of cough

Most often doctors encounter reflex cough in their practice. It is formed due to irritation of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. At night, the cough may increase or decrease, in some situations this is important for diagnosis. With regard to the night cough, it is worth highlighting the following reasons.

1. Environmental irritants

Inhalation of chemical irritants that get on the walls of the bronchi and provoke their swelling. Such irritants can be urban smog with a mixture of various chemical particles or cigarette smoke due to smoking neighbors on the same stairwell or balcony.

2. Diseases of the upper respiratory tract

You can disassemble the cause of coughing at night, for example, with vasomotor rhinitis. Due to swelling and irritation of the mucous membranes, a certain amount of mucus is formed in the nasal cavity – liquid or thicker secretions. Accumulations of mucus when a person is in a horizontal position for a long time (lying down, during sleep) can drain into the lower nasal passages and reach the back of the pharynx, causing irritation of the mucous membranes of the pharynx and provoking a reflex cough.

See also

3. Gastric reflux

Another common cause of night cough is GERD (stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease). Due to the reflux of the acidic contents of the stomach into the esophagus and higher, into the pharynx, especially when eating before bedtime, there is a reflex irritation of the receptors on the mucous membranes of the pharynx. It can provoke a nocturnal cough.

4. Heart problems

Quite often, chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system also cause a nocturnal cough. These can be various serious heart problems that form congestive heart failure.

5. Pathologies of the bronchi and lungs

Diseases such as bronchial asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis and others cause both day and night cough. But usually with such pathologies, in addition to frequent bouts of dry or wet cough, there are other signs of the disease.

Read also

What to do if the cough is literally harassing

To alleviate the condition and get a good night’s sleep, you need to try simple tips to ease the night cough.

1. Create the most comfortable sleep environment.