Adult cough at night

You feel good all day, and when you go to bed, discomfort appears in your throat? Tickling in the larynx leads to the appearance of dry cough, which interferes with sleep and causes many inconveniences. So, let's find out what can cough at night in an adult talk about, the causes and treatment of this ailment.

What do coughs at night signal to us?

Although most of the causes of cough are associated with infectious and inflammatory diseases of the larynx and bronchi, sometimes dry and jerky coughing at night may indicate quite different pathologies. Let's take a closer look at the most common causes of night coughing in adults, except for the common cold, flu, and smoking.

Asthma

This is a chronic disease of the bronchioles, most often found in young people. During normal functioning of the body, small tubes transport air from the bronchus to the depth of the lungs. But as a result of a number of factors, unimpeded oxygen delivery can be disrupted, and the tubes become inflamed and narrowed. During asthma, in addition to dry cough at night, you can watch barely audible soft wheeze.

Sinusitis

In this disease, the nasal sinuses, located in the cheekbones and forehead, become infected and inflamed, which leads to a feeling of nasal congestion. The mucus from the sinuses during sleep flows down the back of the throat, irritating the tissue, causing a cough.

Acid reflux or heartburn

This pathology occurs when gastric acid leaves the esophagus. This causes irritation of the pharyngeal mucosa and upper respiratory tract. Lying down only contributes to ebb, as the stomach and mouth are about the same level, so people with acid reflux are often prone to night cough.

Heart failure

This is a weakening of the function of the heart responsible for pumping blood. Since the heart does not cope with its primary function, fluid accumulates in the tissues of organs, particularly in the lungs. In this case, coughing is an attempt by the body to get rid of unwanted fluid. The situation is much worse in people over 65 years old.

These are only the main causes of nighttime coughing. In fact, much more factors can contribute to a dry cough at night in an adult. For example, even a lack of iron in the body causes irritation of the larynx and respiratory failure, so trying to find the source yourself is an extremely useless exercise. It is best to consult a doctor and pass the appropriate tests, especially if the cough has been delayed and has been bothering you and your loved ones for a long time.

How to treat night cough in adults?

Therapeutic measures for the treatment of cough are prescribed only by a doctor and after diagnosing its root cause. Often, therapy consists of treating the underlying disease, and medication is prescribed to alleviate the inflammation of the airways.

Expectorants for cough help to reduce the density of mucus and contribute to its removal from the bronchi. And weakening drugs block the reflex and reduce the desire to cough. These can be ordinary menthol lozenges, tablets, syrups or special inhalers. But do not buy drugs at a pharmacy on your own, even if they are sold without a prescription. It is important to make sure that the drug will interact correctly with other medications prescribed by the doctor for the treatment of the underlying disease.

In addition to medical methods, you can try and some proven home remedies:

• Many doctors believe that teas are the best way to ease a sore throat, moisturize the upper airways and soothe a cough. Drink before bedtime a cup of strong tea with chamomile and honey. And if that doesn't help, try simply dissolve some honey.
• Menthol and eucalyptus oil - natural remedies for cough. Add a few drops of essential oils to a warm bath or apply a eucalyptus ointment on your chest before bedtime. But this method of cough prophylaxis is not recommended for people suffering from asthma.
• Try changing your position while you sleep. Many have noticed that if you do not sleep on your back or stomach, coughing does not bother you. And if it is nevertheless more familiar and more comfortable to sleep on your back, then put several pillows under your head at once to increase the radius of your body.
• Drinking enough water throughout the day can significantly reduce the symptoms of nocturnal cough. Water helps to soften a thin mucous membrane in the throat and moisten it.
• Use an air humidifier to provide moisture where it is scarce. It is scientifically proven that dry and stale indoor air causes sore throat and irritates the mucous membrane. Helps also regular airing of premises.
• If your body is very sensitive and prone to allergic reactions, try to change the bedding as often as possible. A careful ironing sheets, pillowcases and duvet covers provide almost one hundred percent protection against dust mites.

And finally, another important piece of advice: always keep a glass of water, lollipops, and other remedies on the bedside table that help to quickly relieve a cough. The sooner you stop coughing at night, the easier it will be for the body in the future. And remember that you should not delay the solution of the problem. It is better to consult a doctor in time, and then treatment will be easier and faster. Be healthy!