Why do i start coughing at night

When food has no chance to enter your stomach before your body shuts down for the night, reflux worsens and coughing ensues. In addition, post-nasal drip is often caused by allergies. Many patients have allergies to pets, pollen, ragweed and dust, and daily behaviors can irritate these allergies, causing post-nasal drip and coughing at night. What are these behaviors and how can you change them? If you have acid reflux, you might be guilty of grabbing late-night drinks with friends and hitting the hay as soon as you get home, which triggers coughing fits.

Instead of immediately going to bed, give your stomach some time to digest. People with animal allergies are often guilty of sleeping in bed with their furry friend. While it may be difficult, you might benefit from purchasing a dog bed and making sure your pet sleeps separately. For patients with outdoor allergies such as pollen or ragweed, I recommend sleeping with the windows closed to prevent irritation and post-nasal drip.

Are there other small steps you can take to avoid coughing? A simple measure is to prop yourself up with a pillow before you go to sleep. Small changes can go a long way in dodging nighttime coughing. They can harbor mold and spray moldy water into the air.

For people with mold allergies, this worsens the problem and is harmful to your health. What about cough medicine? The reality is that most over-the-counter and prescription medications numb the cough reflex rather than treat the true cause of the cough.

While lung disease is treated by prescription medications, these cases are rare. Health experts suggest a regimen of fluids, medications if needed, and lots of rest. But getting the rest you need to feel better is easier said than done if your cough is keeping you up all night. Rest is one of the most important ways your body fights off infections, according to the Mayo Clinic. Ironically, getting enough rest can also be the hardest thing to accomplish. Just when you need sleep the most, your cough symptoms get worse, leading to a night of tossing and turning.

If you fall into that category, it's even more important that you resolve your night cough and get a good night's rest. Why do coughs get worse at night? There are a number of reasons why they do — or at least why they seem to. Gravity The number one factor that makes your cough worse at night is simple: gravity. As mucus drips down the back of your throat, it can trigger your cough reflex and lead to nighttime coughing. There are a few other reasons why you could be coughing at night.

Less common causes of dry cough at night include:. Menthol cough drops are medicated throat lozenges that have a cooling, soothing effect. Sucking on one before you get into bed may help lubricate your throat and prevent irritation during the night.

These cough drops, which are available at your local drug store, should never be used while lying down, because they present a choking hazard. Humidifiers add moisture to the air.

You produce less saliva during sleep, which means your throat is drier than usual. Running a humidifier while you sleep will help keep your throat moist, which should protect it from irritants and give it an opportunity to heal. When you lie down, gravity pulls the mucus in your nasal passageways down into your throat.

Thick mucus can trigger your cough reflex on its own, but even normal mucus can cause problems, as it can contain allergens and irritants. To avoid this problem, prop yourself up on several pillows so that your body is at a degree angle between sitting up and lying down. Try this for a few nights to give your throat a chance to heal. Irritants like dust, pet hair, and pollen can circulate around the house all day and night.

If someone in your household smokes or you use a wood-burning fire for heat, make sure to keep the door to your bedroom closed at all times. Take other precautions, like keeping pets out of the bedroom and keeping windows closed during allergy season. A HEPA air purifier in the bedroom can help cut down on cough-inducing irritants.

Also look for allergy-proof bedding and mattress covers. Honey is a natural cough suppressant and anti-inflammatory agent. In fact, one study found that it was more effective at reducing nighttime cough in children than OTC cough medicine. Add a teaspoon of raw honey to tea or warm water to soothe a sore throat. Or just take it straight. Hydration is more important to the healing process than most people know. Keeping hydrated helps keep your throat moist, which is key to protecting it from irritants.

Aim to drink about eight large glasses of water each day. Consider adding herbal tea or warm lemon water to the menu. If you think you might have GERD, then you should speak with a doctor about your treatment options. In the meantime, there are a few OTC medications that may help prevent symptoms like nighttime cough, these include:.

Sometimes, home remedies are not enough. If you want to be a bit more aggressive, take a look at the following medicinal options.

Decongestants are OTC medications that treat congestion.