Coughing at night isn't always serious, often lingering from colds or flu, but it can signal underlying issues like asthma, acid reflux (GERD), or allergies that worsen when lying down. See a doctor if it lasts over a few weeks, disrupts sleep, or comes with fever, difficulty breathing, chest pain, or coughing up blood, as these could be signs of infection (like pneumonia), COPD, or heart problems.
Nighttime coughing can happen and feel worse for many reasons. It may be due to problems with your lungs and airways, such as infection, postnasal drip, allergies, and asthma.
A cough becomes serious when it lasts over a few weeks, produces discolored or bloody phlegm, causes wheezing, shortness of breath, high fever, or significant fatigue, or is accompanied by weight loss, night sweats, or difficulty breathing/swallowing, signaling potential issues like pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, or other chronic lung diseases that need prompt medical attention.
Signs and symptoms:
Particularly in the context of the above risk factors and cough, associated red flag symptoms and signs for significant disease include: Weight loss. New coughs lasting over three weeks. Unexplained haemoptysis, particularly if recurrent or persisting. Breathlessness.
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If you have nose congestion, you might benefit from an OTC nasal decongestant spray for a brief period. You might find a throat lozenge or honey soothing if you have a sore or dry throat or cough. It can also calm the cough reflex. Staying hydrated and keeping the air warm and humidified may also help reduce coughing.
One of the most bothersome forms is a cough that worsens at night. Coughing throughout the night disrupts sleep, and this coughing can last for weeks or months if left untreated. This is where lying down allows mucus to pool in the back of the throat and trigger a cough.
Additionally, foods high in citric acid (like lemons and limes), as well as acetic acid (found in things like vinegar or pickled vegetables), have also been proven to tickle our cough centers. Though giving up your favorite foods is never fun, paying attention to your diet can help eliminate your post-meal cough.
You should see your GP if: you've had a cough for more than three to four weeks (persistent cough) your cough is very bad or quickly gets worse, for example, you have a hacking cough or can't stop coughing. you have chest pain.
Some signs that you may need to go to urgent care with your cough include:
Signs and symptoms of a chest infection
The main symptoms of a chest infection can include: a persistent cough. coughing up yellow or green phlegm (thick mucus), or coughing up blood. breathlessness or rapid and shallow breathing.
Reducing throat irritation: Selecting appropriate foods and preparation methods can minimize throat irritation, reducing itchiness and the likelihood of frequent coughing. To achieve this, avoid irritating foods like sour, spicy, salty, or hot dishes.
To make yourself as comfortable as possible when you have a cough or cold, try to: Drink plenty of fluids. Stay hydrated with water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water with honey. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can dehydrate you.
Alcohol: Alcohol can dehydrate the body and irritate the respiratory system. This can lead to excess mucus production in the nose and throat. Additionally, some people may be allergic to certain types of alcohol, which can trigger mucus production.
Causes of a nocturnal cough can be categorized as respiratory, non-respiratory, and systemic. The most common respiratory causes of a chronic cough include postnasal drip, postinfectious, and asthma. Environmental factors include smoking, both active and passive; this is the most frequent environmental factor.
Resolution Phase (Days 8-14): Gradual improvement. The cough may persist but becomes less severe and frequent. It is a part of the body's healing process. Post-Infectious Cough (Up to 3-8 weeks): In some individuals, a cough may linger even after other symptoms have resolved.
Consult your doctor if your cough lasts longer than a week or is accompanied by:
Five key signs your brain might be in trouble include significant memory loss (forgetting important things or familiar routines), difficulty with everyday tasks, confusion about time/place, problems with language/communication, and noticeable personality or mood changes, such as increased irritability or loss of interest in hobbies, which signal potential cognitive decline or neurological issues.
Three early warning signs of heart failure include persistent fatigue/weakness, shortness of breath (especially with activity or lying down), and swelling (edema) in your legs, ankles, and feet, often accompanied by rapid weight gain from fluid buildup, all signaling your heart isn't pumping efficiently enough. Other key indicators are a chronic cough (sometimes with pink mucus) and heart palpitations.
Sudden or severe dizziness, confusion and/or clumsiness
The important words here are “sudden” or “severe.” If any of these symptoms come on suddenly or are severe, call 911 or head to an ER: Clumsiness, loss of balance or fainting. Difficulty speaking or trouble understanding speech.
Primary Symptoms: Hemoptysis and Respiratory Distress
People with pulmonary hemorrhage often have symptoms related to breathing. Hemoptysis, or coughing up blood, is a key sign. The amount of blood can vary. Respiratory distress, or trouble breathing, is another important symptom that needs quick medical help.
A cough is your body's response 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.
Signs of Respiratory Distress
However, if the cough is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, headache, drowsiness or shortness of breath it should be brought to a doctor's attention. Coughs that make certain sounds, like whooping, wheezing or barking, may also signal a bigger problem.