Coughing at night can be uncomfortable – especially if it’s keeping you awake. A nighttime cough can be caused by a number of things, including illness, allergies and lifestyle factors.Luckily, there are plenty of treatment options that can help.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to stop uncontrollable coughing at night, as well as the reasons why it may be happening. You’ll also learn more about why coughing tends to be worse at night, and the treatment options that might help.
In this guide:
Reasons you may be coughing at night
There are different types of coughs, from dry coughs to mucus-producing coughs. Uncontrollable coughing at night can be caused by various factors and conditions. These include:
The common cold
Constant coughing at night can be caused by the common cold. A cold is a virus that can cause your body to produce more mucus than usual, which can lead to a postnasal drip. This is when the excess mucus drips down the back of your throat, which can cause a cough.
The virus can also cause a ‘productive cough’, which is when your body tries to get unwanted mucus out of your airways.This can also lead to irritated airways and lungs, which then causes a dry cough This is why some dry coughs can last after a cold has gone.
A cold can enter your body through your mouth, eyes, or nose from droplets in the air. You can catch a cold from an infected person, or through touch – for example, by touching a contaminated surface.
Flu
Similar to a cold, the flu virus also infects your throat, nose, and lungs, and causes excess mucus production and inflamed airways. You can catch it when an infected person coughs or sneezes into the air, or by touching something they’ve touched.
Generally, flu symptoms are worse than common cold symptoms. One of the key differences between cold and flu symptoms is that you’re more likely to experience a high fever and chills with the flu. Meanwhile, sneezing, coughing, and a runny nose are typically associated with the common cold.
Asthma
Asthma is a common lung condition that can affect people of all ages. It usually starts in childhood, but it can also develop in adulthood.
In addition to causing your airways to narrow and swell – which can make it difficult to breathe – asthma can also cause you to cough up mucus. Certain things can trigger an asthma flare-up, including pollen, dust, smoke, and exercise.
Allergies
An allergy is where your body reacts to something that’s usually harmless, such as dust, pollen, or animal fur. These substances can irritate your nasal membrane and trigger mucus build-up in your throat, which can cause you to cough, especially when laid down at night.
Smoking
Certain chemicals you inhale while smoking can irritate your airways and lungs, which can result in what’s known as a ‘smoker’s cough’. Smoking can damage the small hairs that line your airways, which usually help to keep them clear. It can also cause your airways to produce more mucus than normal. Coughing is your body’s natural way of trying to overcome these damaging effects of smoking.
Why is my coughing worse at night?
One of the main reasons why we cough is to clear mucus from our airways. However, when we lie down, we collect more mucus in the back of the throat, which is why we feel the need to cough more during the night.
Your night-time cough may also be worse than during the daytime due to your sleeping position, the quality of air in your bedroom, and exposure to irritants from your bed sheets.
Five tips for reducing coughing at night naturally
There are a few ways to help relieve or stop uncontrollable coughing at night. Regardless of the cause, various home remedies and lifestyle changes can help to soothe your nighttime cough.
1. Change your sleeping position
When we lie down, mucus collects more easily in the back of the throat, which makes us want to cough. However, altering your sleeping position and propping up your mattress may help to ease coughing at night. You can also use a few pillows to elevate your head
2. Avoid dry air
Cooler air lacks humidity, which means the air in your home can become dry during winter. This can irritate your throat and lead to coughing. To combat dry air in your home, try using a humidifier. This will help to add moisture to the air to help keep you from dry coughing at night.
3. Keep your airways clear
While a persistent cough at night can be irritating, it can be a sign your body is on the road to recovery, by cleaning mucus from your lungs. You can help to speed up the recovery process and clear excess mucus from your body by regularly blowing your nose. Inhaling steam – for example, by using hot water in a bowl – may also help to relieve coughing fits at night.
4. Manage your allergies
If you suffer from allergies, nighttime coughs may be triggered by your bedding. To help minimise potential irritants, such as dust and dead skin cells, be sure to change your bed sheets regularly. You may even want to try using a hypoallergenic pillow and switch to a hypoallergenic laundry detergent to minimise the risk of irritants triggering a night cough.
5. Stay hydrated
While you may not be able to stop coughing at night completely, keeping hydrated can help. For example, a hot decaf drink before bedtime can help to soothe your throat, making you less likely to cough during the night. Ginger tea is also believed to have anti-inflammatory properties, so it may be a good option.
How to relieve coughing at night with medication
If you’ve tried multiple home remedies and you still can’t stop coughing at night, over-the-counter (OTC) remedies might help. Not only can they lessen the urge to cough, but they can also help to thin mucus, making it easier to bring it up.
The BENYLIN® cough relief for adults range features a collection of effective cough relief products, including the BENYLIN® Dry Cough Night Syrup. This contains dextromethorphan, which helps to suppress the cough mechanism, reducing the urge to cough at night.
If your child is waking up coughing at night, the BENYLIN® cough relief children’s range provides a selection of products suitable for children and infants, including the BENYLIN® Children’s Dry Cough & Sore Throat Syrup and BENYLIN® Children’s Chesty Cough Medicine.
Concerned about your child coughing at night? Discover what causes children to cough at night and the various treatment options available with our comprehensive guide to children coughing at night.
When to see a doctor about coughing at night
While coughs linked to allergies and the common cold can last several months, you shouldn’t ignore them. If your cough persists for eight weeks or more – or is followed by shortness of breath or fever – see a doctor.
Additionally, if you’re coughing up blood, seek medical attention immediately.
