Are you facing the problem of night time cough? Well, there are many people, even children, who face the problem of night coughing. This is truly the most disruptive, frustrating, and uncomfortable situation for anyone. It leads to sleep deprivation and badly affects the quality of life. If you try to find out the causes of night coughing, you will find many that include asthma, allergy, cold and flu and GERD. Fortunately, there are remedies that can help in treating this symptom and improve the quality of life.
Here, in this blog, we will talk about the causes of night coughing and remedies that can help in treating them effectively. Now, let’s start with the causes first –
Causes of Night Time Cough
Cough while sleeping at night takes place because of a bundle of reasons such as –
- Allergy
Allergy is one of the common reasons behind tickly cough at night. Allergic components like pet dander, dust, pollen and mould are some of the common things that adversely affect the respiratory system of the body, leading to wheezing, coughing and, most importantly difficulty in breathing. Allergies can either be seasonal or year-round, causing a cough worse at night.
- Asthma
Asthma is one of the most crucial respiratory conditions. The symptoms of asthma include inflammation and narrowing of the airways. It can cause serious coughing situations during sleep, and its symptoms include shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, etc. that occurs especially at night and early in the morning. Exercise, pollution, allergens, infection, and stress may also trigger asthma symptoms.
- GERD
It is a kind of digestive disorder that happens when the acid flow of your stomach flows back into the oesophagus of the body. It causes both inflammation and irritation. The symptoms of GERD include heartburn, nighttime cough, regurgitation, etc. This acid creates an irritating effect both on your lungs and throat, leading to breathing and coughing problems.
- Cold and Flu
This is a viral infection that can also cause sneezing, coughing, fever, sore throat, and fatigue-like problems, and all these symptoms get worse at night due to increased inflammation. This cold and flu spread through sneezing, coughing or touching an infected surface. It is one of the main reasons for coughing at night only.
Remedies for Night Time Cough
Let’s discuss some of the best remedies for relief from cough at night.
- Identify the Underlying Reason
If you are wondering how to stop coughing, then finding the underlying reason for coughing at night should be done first. Allergies can easily be treated by using nasal sprays, allergy shots and antihistamines. The problem of asthma can be treated with steroids and inhalers like medicines. On the other hand, problems like GERD can be treated by changing lifestyles, such as avoiding trigger foods, changing the sleeping position, shedding weight, etc.
- Always Stay Hydrated
Try to drink plenty of water or fluid-based items that help in thinning the mucus and easing the coughing problem. If you want, you can take herbal tea, soup, etc., in place of water. All these are good options for staying hydrated. Avoid drinking coffee and alcohol, which causes dehydration and a worse cough while sleeping.
- Prefer using a humidifier
Dry air can affect the respiratory system and worsen coughing. If you are suffering from coughing at night only, using a tool like a humidifier can add moisture to the air while soothing your lungs and throat. It hinders the growth of mould and germs in the air.
- Change your sleeping position
Make sure you change the sleeping position of your body, like elevating the height of the headrest. It prevents acid reflux and improves the breathing system. If you want, you can place blocks under your pillow or wedge pillow to increase the height of the upper body.
- Take a hot shower
Make sure you take a hot bath or shower to ease your coughing problem. The stream reduces inflammation.
Conclusion
Therefore, night time cough can be caused by several factors, and it greatly impacts the quality of sleep and overall well-being of the body. Following the above-mentioned remedies can help treat these symptoms so that you can lead a healthy life.
