Why does the cough get worse at night?
A cough can serve a useful purpose of getting rid of an irritant or helping to prevent infection. However, a cough that persists at night may not be from a cold or flu. Here are some common causes of nighttime coughs.
Due to gravity
When the body is in a lying state, mucus will begin to collect and flow down the throat. At this time, the nervous organs in this area will be in an excited state, forming coughs.
Gastroesophageal reflux
People with GERD also often cough when lying down. The reason is that the amount of acid in the abdominal cavity will back up into the esophagus, causing the throat to reflect out coughs due to irritation.
Postnasal drip syndrome
Mucus is continuously produced inside the nose to fight infection. When the body produces more mucus than usual, post nasal drips are formed. When lying down, fluid from the sinus system through the back of the nose down to the back of the throat, causing symptoms such as a feeling of tightness in the throat, sore throat, cough, and itchy throat.
Dry air
Dry air can aggravate a stuffy nose, sore throat, and nighttime cough. According to Everyday Health , people who often have a cough at night can use a humidifier to clear their throat and soothe the cough. In addition to the above method, people with cough can also put bowls of water in the room. When water evaporates, it adds moisture to the air, making you fall asleep faster.
Allergy
Your nighttime cough may be due to your surroundings. Common environmental allergens include dust mites, pet dander, mold, and mildew. If a dry cough at night is accompanied by other symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, headache, itching, or difficulty breathing, it is most likely due to an environmental allergy. Read More...