What to do when your cough won't let you sleep?

Elevate Your Head and Neck

If your cough seems to worsen once you lie flat, try propping up your head and neck. Use a wedge pillow or multiple bed pillows to make yourself comfortable while lying in a position that keeps your head elevated above the rest of your body.

What to I do if I can't sleep because of a cough?

Why is it so hard to sleep with a cough?

Coughs tend to be more troublesome at night because throughout the day, your natural reaction is to swallow frequently, helping the nasal mucus drain down your nose and throat. But when you lie down in bed at night to go to sleep, it becomes more difficult for your body to clear your airways naturally.

Do coughs worsen at night?

Coughing often worsens at night because a person is lying flat in bed. Mucus can pool in the back of the throat and cause coughing. Sleeping with the head elevated can reduce the symptoms of postnasal drip and GERD. Both can cause coughing at night.

When is coughing too much?

While an occasional cough is normal, a cough that persists may be a sign of a medical problem. A cough is considered "acute" if it lasts less than three weeks. It is considered "chronic" if it lasts longer than eight weeks (four weeks in children).

Fighting Night Time Cough

Why do coughs last so long?

Your nerves are working overtime. Some coughs stick around after a cold or flu resolves — for up to 2 weeks or more — because your bronchial nerves are recalibrating. They may have been sensitized by the initial infection to react to the slightest stimuli.

Can you cough up a lung?

It is not physically possible to cough up a lung, but there are a number of ways that violent coughing can hurt your body, from coughing up blood to cracking your ribs. If you've had a persistent cough for more than a few weeks, call your doctor.

Why does my cough get worse later at night?

Gravity The number one factor that makes your cough worse at night is simple: gravity. Mitchell Blass, MD, a physician with Georgia Infectious Diseases, says, “When we lie down, mucus automatically begins to pool.” The best way to counteract this gravitational pull is elevation.

What kind of cough gets worse at night?

Chronic night-time coughing is a symptom of heart failure, as well respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis, pneumonia, and COPD. Lung cancer and blood clots in the lungs are less common causes of severe coughs.

Why is an irritated cough worse at night?

When it comes to nighttime cough, gravity is your enemy. All the postnasal drainage and mucus you swallow during the day backs up and irritates your throat when you lay down at night.

Why does my dry cough get worse at night?

You produce less saliva during sleep, which means your throat is drier than usual. When your throat is dry, it's more sensitive to irritants in the air that can trigger an episode of coughing. If you have a stuffy nose, you may tend to sleep with your mouth open, which also dries your throat.