Does cough disturb your sleep at night? Do you need remedies? Read this to know more about cough and why it gets serious at night!
Cough
Coughing is the sudden expulsion of air from the lungs through the epiglottis, the little trapdoor that covers the entrance to your windpipe.
A cough is your body’s way of responding when something irritates your throat or airways. An irritant stimulates nerves that send a message to your brain. The brain then tells muscles in your chest and abdomen to push air out of your lungs to force out the irritant.
Types of cough
There are many ways to classify coughs. The simplest way to determine what is causing them and the best treatment is to pay attention to how they sound and how they affect the body. The followings are the types of cough, and treatment;
Dry cough:
Dry coughs commonly follow on from respiratory illnesses, such as colds and the flu. These coughs develop when there is little or no mucus in the throat. Dry cough is easily treated ,A person can ease the tickling sensation of a dry cough by drinking water, taking a cough drop, or using cough syrup.
Wet cough:
This type of cough can bring up mucus, also called phlegm or sputum. When that happens, doctors call it a “wet” or “productive” cough. When you have one, it may sound and feel like something is rattling around in your lungs. This kind of cough may happen because of an infection or another health condition. The treatment for wet cough is staying hydrated, it helps the cough stay productive and ease the symptoms of a cold. Some people also find relief from over-the-counter (OTC) cough remedies, such as cough drops, chest rubs, and pain relievers. You may as well see a doctor for antibiotics.
Whooping cough:
Pertussis, better known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious bacterial infection. Newborns and people who have not had a vaccination may develop this illness. The treatment of whooping cough is taking antibiotics early to decrease the severity of whooping cough, so an unvaccinated person should see a doctor as soon as possible if symptoms develop.
Chronic cough
Chronic cough is a cough that lasts more than eight weeks in adults and four weeks in children. It’s one of the most common reasons for doctors’ office visits. Chronic cough isn’t a disease itself. It’s a symptom that results from other health conditions.
Why does cough get serious at night?
Coughing worsens at night because a person is lying flat in bed. Mucus can pool in the back of the throat and cause coughing.
Another reason why coughs get worse at night is acid reflux. Don’t forget that acid is an irritant to the throat, much like mucus, germs, or dust. People who have this condition may experience terrible nighttime coughs because lying down forces acid to come back up the esophagus, activating the coughing reflex.
Remedy to night cough
- Elevate your head and neck. Sleeping flat on your back or on your side can cause mucus to accumulate in your throat, which can trigger a cough.
- Swallow a little honey.
- Keep your room clean and free from dust
- Take cough expectorant
- Take a hot shower
- Take lozenge
- Try nasal spray
- Stay hydrated.
Summary
A cough is your body’s way of responding when something irritates your throat or airways. An irritant stimulates nerves that send a message to your brain. The brain then tells muscles in your chest and abdomen to push air out of your lungs to force out the irritant.
See your doctor if you notice any type of cough ,If you’ve had a nighttime cough for longer than 7 days, it’s time to check in with your doctor. It may take some time, but together, you and your doctor can figure out the cause and make your nights peaceful again.
