It is common for many people to not cough during the day, but then start coughing right when they lie down. The most common causes of this are postnasal drip, acid reflux, allergies, asthma, and other conditions that irritate the throat and lungs. When we lie down, the mucus and other irritants from these conditions collect in the back of the throat, causing coughing. The most effective treatment for a nighttime cough is to treat the underlying cause and elevate pillows while sleeping. Coughing is a natural mechanism that the body uses to expel foreign objects from the airways. Trying to stop coughing immediately may not be a long-term solution. It is important to address the underlying cause of the cough.
10 tricks to stop coughing at night
1. Avoiding allergens, such as dust and pollen, can help prevent coughing in those with allergies. If you’re not sure if you have allergies, talk to an allergist or try a home allergy test.
2. Remove dust from your home. Keeping your home free of common allergens, such as dust, dust mites, and pollen, can help reduce your risk of coughing.
Tips for Removing Irritations
- Vacuum regularly: Vacuuming regularly will help remove dust and dust mites that build up on furniture, carpets, and floors.
- Wash curtains and bed sheets frequently: Curtains and bed sheets are a breeding ground for dust and dust mites. Frequent washing will help reduce the amount of these allergens.
- Replace carpets and mats with hard floors: Hard floors, such as hardwood or tile, are easier to clean and collect less dust.
- Use blinds instead of curtains: Blinds are easier to clean and collect less dust than curtains.
Further description
- Dust mites: Tiny creatures that live in house dust and are a major cause of allergic reactions.
- Pollen: Fine particles released by flowers, plants, สมัคร ufabet and weeds.
3. Use an air purifier to protect your bedroom from allergens. An air purifier with a HEPA filter can help reduce dust mite problems in your bedroom. There are also other ways to help prevent allergies, such as:
- Use pillowcases, duvet covers, mattresses, and box springs that contain dust mite-proof materials: This helps reduce and prevent dust mite buildup.
- Wash your sheets in hot water once a week: to remove dust mites and other allergens.
- No pets allowed in the bedroom: Animal hair is a major allergen.
4. Asthma management Asthma causes the airways to narrow and become inflamed. A dry cough is a common symptom in people with asthma. If you have a dry cough and difficulty breathing, talk to your doctor or health care professional. You may need an inhaled medication to treat your asthma.
5. Close windows. Closing windows can help reduce the chances of coughing when pollen levels are high or when there is a lot of dust in the air.
6. Avoid polluted areas when possible. Exposure to pollution is a major trigger for coughing. More than 90% of the world’s population is exposed to air pollution each year, so avoiding polluted areas altogether can be difficult. But if you have a chronic cough, check the Air Quality Index at AirNow.gov to see if you need to take extra precautions.
7. Manage Acid Reflux Disease (GERD) Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic cause of heartburn and nighttime coughing.
Tips for managing GERD symptoms include:
- Consult your doctor about medication: Your doctor can prescribe medication to reduce stomach acid and relieve symptoms.
- Follow your doctor’s advice: Follow your doctor’s advice strictly to ensure the best treatment results.
- Keep a food journal: Keeping a record of the foods you eat and the symptoms that follow can help you identify foods that may be triggering your symptoms.
8. Elevate the head of your bed. Sleeping flat makes it easier for stomach acid to flow back up into the esophagus, so wait at least 2.5 hours after eating before lying down. Raising the head of your bed 6 to 8 inches may also help. It’s not just people with acid reflux who benefit from sleeping with the head of their bed elevated. Raising the head of your bed at night can help relieve many types of coughing, since when you lie flat, irritants move down your throat and trigger a cough.
9. Get rid of cockroaches. Cockroach saliva, feces, and carcasses can cause coughing and other allergic reactions. To prevent cockroaches from entering your home, you can do the following:
- Keep food containers tightly closed: To avoid attracting cockroaches.
- Get rid of piles of newspapers and magazines: They are a source of dust and a hiding place for cockroaches.
- Hire a pest control company: To get rid of cockroaches living in your home.
10. Use a humidifier. Warm, dry air can dry out your throat and airways, making it easier for you to cough. Many people notice that their coughing gets worse when the heating is on in the winter. Using a cool-mist humidifier can help keep moisture in your bedroom and throat.