Why am I coughing only at night?

Your welcome Erin! Glad these tips helped and that you are feeling better!

Best,

Kristin

Hi Kristin,

Thank you so much for your tips- they are extremely helpful! That all makes much more sense now as to why I cough more at night. I took some medication over the weekend and it has helped reduce my cough a lot. I will try propping myself up a bit more when I sleep and place more blankets on my bed.

Thanks again for the helpful tips!

- Erin

Hi Erin,

Thank you for sharing your question as many members of the EmpowHER community are head deep in a head cold too!  

When you go to bed at night, laying down causes the mucus to collect in the throat which makes the cough worse than during the day. Try sleeping propped up a bit, use an extra pillow for support-this should help the mucus drain more easily.

The other culprit is dry air and the furnace. Dry air and running the heater in your home can really irritate an already irritated respiratory system and can make your cough worse. Try using a humidifier close to your bed to replace the moisture in the air and try to avoid cranking up the heat in the house. Throw some extra blankets on the bed and wear warm socks and clothing. 

Drink extra fluids before bed, take some over-the-counter pain relievers and a decongestant if needed, and try to get lots of rest. I suggest sucking on a cough drop right before bed.

Hope this answered your question Erin and can help you get some relief at night. Hope you feel better-let me know if these tips help!

Best,

Kristin