Key takeaways
- Coughing often feels worse at night because of gravity, dry air, allergies, asthma, reflux, or lingering irritation after a cold or flu.
- Simple steps like raising your head, sipping water, using a humidifier and avoiding smoke or dust can help provide relief.
- Pharmacy options differ for dry coughs (liquids, tablets, lozenges) versus chesty coughs (liquids and lozenges that loosen mucus).
- See a doctor if a cough lasts more than a few weeks, keeps returning, or comes with chest pain, wheezing, coughing blood, high fever or unexplained weight loss.
Introduction
Coughing at night is a common yet frustrating issue that can interrupt sleep and leave you feeling exhausted. Not all coughs are the same – and there are a few different possible causes for night time coughing. This guide covers what could be causing yours, and how to reduce a cough at night. Keep reading for self-care support, helpful tips for immediate relief and pharmacy solutions.
Why coughing can feel worse at night
There's never a good time for dry or chesty coughs, but they seem to get worse during the night. This is down to a few reasons – with gravity being a major one. When you lie down, mucus isn't able to drain from sinuses and the nose as easily, allowing it to drip. Other causes can include:
- Dry air from heating or air conditioning
- Allergies can play a role where exposure to allergens in bedding materials or the air can worsen symptoms
- Asthma often intensifies at night due to changes in airflow function
- Acid reflux from lying flat on your stomach
- Lingering irritation in the throat and nasal passages after cold or flu
How to help reduce coughing at night
When coughing at night occurs, a few practical adjustments can help provide immediate relief. Raising your head slightly and sipping water can improve discomfort, as well as using a humidifier if the air or your cough is feeling particularly dry. Avoiding smoking or strong fragrances will also help you reduce coughing at night, and keeping the bedroom clean from dust triggers assists in reducing allergy-related symptoms and irritation.
What may help calm a cough before bed?
If you're looking for how to prevent coughing at night, a gentle pre-bedtime routine can make a big difference:
- Warm drinks alongside honey for adults and children over 12 months
- Saline nasal sprays for congestion
- Avoiding large meals close to bedtime if reflux is a contributing factor
Pharmacy options that may help relieve a night-time cough
Pharmacy solutions can help with different types of coughing at night. The right cough medicine for you may include cough suppressants, throat lozenges, cough liquid, and antihistamines. It's important to note that your age, medical history and current medicines play a role in choosing the right product, especially for children, older adults and those with chronic conditions. Because everyone's needs are unique, it's always recommended to seek tailored advice. You can speak with a Blooms The Chemist pharmacist for personalised guidance.
Dry cough relief options
Dry cough medicine comes in the form of liquids, tablets and lozenges. It can help relieve and reduce a dry, tickly or irritating cough at night and during the day. Always remember to follow the label and check suitability with a pharmacist before use.
Chesty cough relief options
Similarly, chesty cough medicine typically comes in liquids and lozenges. This medicine works by loosening or thinning mucus to clear a chest cough. If you're looking for how to suppress coughing at night, this solution can be effective.
When to seek medical advice for coughing at night
As mentioned above, not all coughs are the same. While you're working to reduce your cough, keep an eye on it. If it lasts for more than a few weeks or keeps returning, it's a good idea to seek medical advice 1. If your cough feels severe or comes with any of the following symptoms, have a conversation with your GP:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Wheezing
- Coughing blood
- High fever
- Unexplained weight loss
- Worsening illness
Night-time coughing in children
Because medicines are sometimes not suitable for all ages, children's coughs require extra care. If your child is experiencing night-time coughing, it can be distressing for both them and you. Some products can offer relief, but gentle management will help the most here. Before giving any cough or cold medicine, speak to a pharmacist or doctor 2. They'll help identify the cause of their coughing symptom and locate the right age-appropriate treatment for it.
How Blooms The Chemist can help
Looking for someone knowledgeable to speak to? If you or your family is dealing with night-time coughing, Blooms The Chemist pharmacists are here for a chat. Our helpful and friendly team can provide practical support for managing and reducing coughing at night, by identifying the type of cough and suggesting suitable treatment options. Your local pharmacist can also check for potential interactions with any current medicines. With expert advice readily available in-store, Blooms The Chemist pharmacists offer convenient and personalised support to help you rest easier.
FAQs
How can I stop coughing at night naturally?
Simple measures can help reduce coughing at night and relieve discomfort. Try elevating your head with an extra pillow, sipping warm fluids and soothing sore throats with lozenges. Keeping your bedroom free from irritants like smoke and dust will also support a more comfortable sleep.
What is the best thing for a dry cough at night?
You can improve comfort and help relieve symptoms by staying well hydrated, using soothing remedies like warm drinks or lozenges, and choosing suitable pharmacy products may help relieve symptoms. A pharmacist can guide you to options that are appropriate for your needs.
Why do I cough more when I lie down?
Coughing when you lie down may become more intense because mucus can pool in the throat. Reflux may irritate the airways as well, and changes in airway sensitivity and positioning can also trigger coughing at night.
When should I worry about a night-time cough?
If you are worried about a night-time cough, it's important to seek medical advice. Speak to a medical professional if your cough is severe, persistent, or worsening, or if it's accompanied by symptoms such as chest pain or wheezing. Prompt advice is important, especially for children, older adults, or those with existing health conditions.
Conclusion
Night-time coughing can have many causes. Alongside self-care, pharmacy solutions can help. To help relieve your night-time coughing symptoms, speak to a Blooms The Chemist pharmacist for suitable treatment tailored to your needs.