It's okay to have to deal with a cough all day long, right? But there's nothing worse than a cough that starts when you go to bed at night after a hard day's work. Needless to say, the anger and helplessness you feel when you can't even close your eyes and you're constantly coughing. Sometimes the cough gets worse and your chest hurts, making it hard to breathe. So how do we control this annoying nighttime cough and get a good night's sleep? Don't worry, there are
many things you can do about it. Let's talk about it.
Simple ways to calm a cough
First, let's look at some simple, yet very effective, ways you can try to control this cough at home before running to a doctor.
| Method | How to do it and benefits |
|---|
| Steaming | It's great if you can add moisture to the air in the room. You can use a humidifier for this. Or, take a hot bath before bed. It's also good to inhale the steam from a tea kettle for a while. This will moisten a dry throat, loosening the congestion and mucus that causes coughing. |
| How to hold your head | Elevate your head slightly with an extra pillow when sleeping. This will help reduce post-nasal drip and help control coughing. |
| Rinsing the nose with salt water | Use a saline nasal spray, available at pharmacies. This will help clear up nasal congestion and mucus, preventing it from running down your throat. |
| A teaspoon of honey | Honey is a great natural remedy for sore throats, coughs, and sore throats. Drink a teaspoon of honey straight before bed. Very important: Do not give honey to babies under one year old. |
| Drinking something hot | Drink a hot tea (even better if you can add a piece of ginger) or a hot soup. The warmth will loosen the mucus in your throat and make you feel comfortable. |
| Suck a lozenge. | Sucking on a lozenge containing menthol or honey before bed can help reduce throat irritation and control coughing. |
What if home treatment is not enough? Medicines you can buy at the pharmacy
If these home remedies don't help your cough, there are several over-the-counter medications you can buy at the pharmacy. But remember,
it's always wise to talk to your doctor before taking any of these medications. These medications usually come in a combination of several medications in a single capsule or tablet.
| Type of medicine | Functionality (that is, how it works) |
|---|
| Cough Suppressant | These work by blocking the cough reflex from the brain. The most common type is Dextromethorphan . |
| Decongestants | Decongestants reduce congestion in your nose and sinuses, making it easier to breathe. Examples include phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine . |
| Antihistamine | These control allergy symptoms such as sneezing and runny nose. Examples: brompheniramine, chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine . |
| Expectorant | These work by thinning the thick mucus in the throat and chest, helping it to be expelled more easily. |
Warning: These medications can make some people drowsy. But for others, they can make you feel groggy instead of asleep. Also, if you have other medical conditions, such as high blood pressure , some of these medications may not be suitable for you. Therefore, be sure to ask your doctor for advice before taking any medication from the pharmacy.
Why do we cough so much at night? What are the reasons?
Okay, now let's look at why this cough is worse at night than during the day. The simplest and most common cause is
post-nasal drip . When you have a cold, sinus infection, or the flu, the mucus in your nose starts to run down your throat when you're hunched over. When this mucus feels like it's stuck in the back of your throat, your body starts to cough. But that's not all. There can be other reasons for a cough at night.
- Asthma : In asthma, the airways in the lungs become narrowed and excess mucus is produced. This can cause coughing at night. Sometimes, things like dust can make this condition worse.
- Allergies : Allergies to things like dust and pollen can cause a stuffy nose and runny nose.
- Gastritis or GERD : This is a condition that many people don't know about. To be precise, it's Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). This is when stomach acid comes up the throat . This acid can irritate the nerves in your throat and cause coughing. You may not experience heartburn, but you may just be coughing.
- Smoking : Smokers often have mucus in their lungs. They also cough as their body tries to clear out toxins from the airways.
- Some blood pressure medications: Some high blood pressure medications, especially those in the class of drugs called ACE inhibitors , can cause a persistent dry cough in some people.
Your doctor can determine which of these causes is causing your cough. When that specific cause is treated, the cough will usually go away on its own.
Take-Home Message
- For nighttime coughs, first try simple home remedies like inhaling steam, sleeping with your head elevated, and drinking honey.
- Often, a cough at night is caused by mucus draining into the throat during sleep (post-nasal drip).
- Asthma, allergies, and GERD, even in the absence of chest inflammation, can also be major causes of nighttime coughing.
- Although you can use over-the-counter (OTC) medications, you should always consult your doctor before taking any medication, especially if you have other medical conditions such as high blood pressure.
- If the cough lasts for more than a week or two, if there is difficulty breathing, or if there is chest pain, definitely see a doctor to find the exact cause and seek treatment.
Cough, nocturnal cough, cough medicine, cough remedies, mucus, post-nasal drip, GERD, asthmatic cough
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