Miya Pearson
Waking up coughing can be distressing and disruptive to your sleep. Coughing is a reflex action that helps to clear mucus, noxious substances, and infections from the airways. There are many causes of coughing at night, including post-nasal drip, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), asthma, and viral respiratory tract infections. If you are experiencing a cough that interferes with your sleep, there are several remedies you can try, such as using a humidifier, cough medicines, or herbal preparations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Causes | Upper and lower airway infections, post-infectious cough, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic rhinitis, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), medication side effects, heart disease, smoking, allergies, sinus issues, viral infections, irritants, pulmonary fibrosis, bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, interstitial lung disease, sleep apnea, laryngeal problems, foreign bodies in the large airways, recurrent aspiration, left ventricular failure, mitral stenosis, etc. |
| Treatments | Cough medicine, humidifier, extra pillows or a wedge, lying on the side, nasal decongestant spray, throat lozenge, honey, staying hydrated, herbal preparations, cough suppressants, neti pots, essential oils, etc. |
| Concerning Symptoms | Wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, high fevers, body aches, chills, difficulty swallowing or keeping down liquids/food |
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What You'll Learn
Postnasal drip
To relieve postnasal drip, it is recommended to stay hydrated and avoid irritants such as cigarette smoke and dust. Drinking more water and cutting out caffeine can help thin out the mucus. Saline nasal sprays and irrigations can also be used to moisten the nose and reduce thickened secretions. If these home remedies are ineffective, prescription treatments such as nasal steroid sprays or ipratropium nasal sprays may be considered. Antibiotics are typically not prescribed unless a bacterial infection is present.
While postnasal drip can cause an annoying and persistent cough, it is usually not dangerous. However, if the condition persists for several weeks or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, it is advisable to consult a healthcare provider for further guidance and treatment options.
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Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Waking up in the middle of your sleep while coughing can be frustrating and might indicate an underlying health issue. One of the most common causes of nighttime coughing is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder that occurs when there is a retrograde flow of stomach contents back into the oesophagus. This can cause a burning sensation, known as heartburn, as acid from the stomach backs up into the oesophagus. Normally, the muscle at the bottom of the oesophagus relaxes to let food and liquid into the stomach and then closes. However, when this muscle does not close properly, stomach acid can flow back up through the partial opening, leading to acid reflux symptoms.
Frequent and long-term heartburn can result in the wearing away of the oesophageal lining, leading to complications such as scar tissue formation, peptic ulcers, and even precancerous changes in the oesophagus (Barrett's oesophagus). GERD can be diagnosed through a physical examination by a doctor, and tests such as endoscopy, pH monitoring, and motility testing may be performed to confirm the diagnosis.
If you are experiencing frequent heartburn or acid reflux symptoms that do not improve with over-the-counter medications, it is important to consult your doctor. They may recommend medications or, in some cases, surgery to treat GERD and alleviate your symptoms. Lifestyle changes, such as avoiding certain trigger foods and beverages, can also help manage GERD.
It is important to note that nighttime coughing can also be caused by other factors such as post-nasal drip, medication side effects, or even heart failure. Therefore, consulting a healthcare professional is crucial to receiving an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
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Asthma
Nocturnal asthma, or nighttime asthma, can cause coughing fits that interrupt your sleep. Asthma is a condition in which a person's bronchial tubes (the body's airways) become swollen, leading to symptoms like wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. The global prevalence of asthma has increased by 50% every decade over the past 40 years, and it is estimated that asthma affects 1 out of 12 people in the United States.
If you are experiencing coughing fits at night due to asthma, there are some strategies that might help you get a better night's sleep. Firstly, it is important to manage your environment by avoiding dust, smoke, and other irritants that can trigger coughing. Using a humidifier in your bedroom can also add moisture to the air, soothing your throat and preventing coughing. Maintaining a humidity level of about 40-50% is recommended to avoid promoting mould growth, which can also be an allergen.
Over-the-counter medications can also help control and relieve coughing fits by thinning mucus and helping to relieve chest congestion. Cough suppressants, available as OTC or prescription drugs, can block the cough reflex, but they tend to cause drowsiness, so use them when you do not need to be alert. Throat lozenges or honey can also be soothing for a sore or dry throat and can help calm the cough reflex.
If your nighttime coughing persists or worsens, it is important to consult a doctor for a diagnosis and treatment advice.
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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Waking up in the middle of your sleep due to coughing can be frustrating and may indicate an underlying health issue. One of the possible causes of this symptom is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
COPD is a common lung disease that causes restricted airflow and breathing problems. It is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for approximately 5% of all global deaths in 2021. The disease is characterized by inflammation, damage, and narrowing of the lungs, leading to symptoms such as coughing, sometimes with phlegm, difficulty breathing, wheezing, and tiredness. The condition mainly affects middle-aged or older adults who smoke, and the likelihood of developing COPD increases with smoking duration and intensity. However, it's important to note that COPD can also affect non-smokers due to long-term exposure to harmful fumes, dust, or rare genetic factors.
If you are experiencing coughing fits that interrupt your sleep, it is important to consult a healthcare professional, especially if you are a smoker or have a history of smoking. A doctor can perform a breathing test to help diagnose COPD and rule out other lung conditions. While COPD cannot be cured, early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to slow down the progression of the disease and improve your quality of life.
Treatments for COPD aim to manage symptoms and slow the disease's progression. The main treatments are inhaled medicines, such as bronchodilator inhalers, which relax and open the airways. Short-acting bronchodilators provide quick relief during flare-ups, while long-acting bronchodilators are taken daily to maintain airway health. In more severe cases or for long-term COPD, oxygen therapy may be required. Additionally, pulmonary rehabilitation teaches exercises to improve breathing and overall physical endurance.
To reduce the impact of COPD on your daily life, it is essential to avoid smoking and exposure to air pollution, including secondhand smoke. Vaccinations are also recommended to prevent infections that can worsen COPD symptoms. While managing COPD requires ongoing care and lifestyle adjustments, these steps can help keep the condition under control and prevent it from severely limiting your daily activities.
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Sleep Apnea
While coughing when you wake up can have many causes, one possible explanation is sleep apnea. Coughing can be a symptom of sleep apnea, and it is believed that there is a link between the two conditions. Research has shown that treating sleep apnea can lead to an improvement in coughing symptoms. In some cases, patients with chronic cough who were subsequently found to have obstructive sleep apnea experienced rapid improvement in their cough after undergoing treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy.
It is important to recognize the symptoms of sleep apnea early on, as it can have implications for daily activities such as driving and operating machinery. Additionally, untreated sleep apnea can lead to associated cardiovascular morbidity. If you are experiencing coughing when you wake up, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment.
There are several treatments available for sleep apnea, including CPAP therapy, which is considered the gold standard treatment. CPAP therapy involves using a machine to deliver air pressure through a mask while you sleep, which helps to keep your airway open and prevents pauses in breathing. Other treatments for sleep apnea may include the use of oral appliances, positional therapy, and, in some cases, surgery.
In addition to medical treatments, there are also lifestyle changes that can help manage sleep apnea. These include losing weight if you are overweight, avoiding alcohol and sedatives, quitting smoking, and establishing a regular sleep schedule. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the most appropriate treatment plan for your specific condition.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several reasons why you might be coughing more at night. Postnasal drip, a constant trickle of mucus from the upper airways, is often made worse by lying down because you lose the help of gravity, and mucus collects at the back of the throat. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is also a common cause of nighttime coughing. This is when your stomach contents come back up into your oesophagus, and lying down can increase your risk of this occurring. Other causes include viral respiratory tract infections, asthma, and environmental factors such as smoking.
There are several ways to reduce coughing at night, including:
- Using a humidifier
- Herbal preparations
- Cough medicines or cough suppressants
- Nasal decongestant sprays
- Throat lozenges or honey
- Elevating your head and neck with extra pillows
- Lying on your side, not your back
If your cough has not improved after a few weeks, or if you have any of the following symptoms, you should seek medical attention: wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, high fevers, body aches, chills, or difficulty swallowing or keeping down liquids/food.
