Ever wonder why your cold symptoms seem to get worse at night? AFC Athens answers this common winter curiosity. We accept most insurance! 

Taking your kiddos to indoor playgrounds like Mimi’s Jungle Gym is a great way to pass the time, especially during the winter. A common cold won’t stop you from spending time with your little ones or enjoying a date night at the Thai House, but have you ever felt like your cold symptoms magically intensify the moment you lie down for bed. Don’t worry, you’re not imagining things. Many people notice their cough becomes more frequent or more irritating at night when they have a cold. While it can be frustrating, there are several clear reasons why nighttime coughing is so common. 

Understanding what’s happening in your body can help you manage symptoms and know when it’s time to seek medical care. 

Visit AFC Athens today! 

Why coughing tends to worsen at night 

When you’re battling a cold, your body produces extra mucus to help trap and remove the virus. Tiny hair-like structures in your airways, called cilia, work throughout the day to move that mucus out of your lungs and throat. Coughing is your body’s natural reflex to help clear it away. 

During the day, movement and gravity help mucus drain more easily. When you lie down at night, however, gravity is no longer working in your favor. Mucus can begin to pool in the back of your throat, a condition known as postnasal drip. This pooling often triggers the urge to cough as your body tries to clear the airway. 

Your sleeping position plays a major role as well. Standing or sitting upright helps keep mucus from collecting in your throat. Lying flat allows it to accumulate, which can lead to frequent coughing fits and throat irritation. 

Hormones and your immune system also play a role 

Another reason your cough may worsen at night has to do with your body’s natural rhythm. Cortisol (a hormone that helps regulate inflammation and immune response) follows a daily cycle. Cortisol levels are higher during the day, which helps keep inflammation under control. 

At night, cortisol levels naturally drop. While this allows your immune system to work harder against infection, it can also lead to increased inflammation, swelling in the nasal passages and more mucus production. Combined with postnasal drip and limited drainage, this increased immune activity can make nighttime coughing worse. 

Environmental factors can make symptoms worse 

If you’re dealing with a cold during colder months, indoor heating can also contribute to nighttime coughing. Heated indoor air tends to be dry, which can irritate nasal passages and the throat. This dryness can make coughing more frequent and more uncomfortable, especially overnight. 

Tips to help calm a nighttime cough 

While you can’t eliminate a cold overnight, there are steps you can take to reduce coughing and improve sleep: 

• Elevate your head while sleeping. Using extra pillows can help mucus drain more effectively and reduce throat irritation. 
• Use a humidifier. Adding moisture to the air can soothe dry nasal passages and ease coughing. 
• Stay hydrated. Drinking fluids throughout the day helps thin mucus. Warm teas or honey mixed with warm water can be especially soothing before bed. 
• Try saline nasal sprays. These help flush irritants and keep nasal passages moist. 
• Use over-the-counter medications when needed. Decongestants, pain relievers or allergy medications like antihistamines may help reduce postnasal drip overnight. 
• Take a warm shower before bed. Steam can help open airways and make breathing more comfortable. 

When to seek medical care 

Most coughs caused by the common cold can be managed at home. However, it’s important to seek medical care if: 

• Your cough lasts more than a few weeks. 
• You develop a fever, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. 
• You experience severe sore throat, ear pain or sinus pain that doesn’t improve. 
• You suspect your symptoms may be related to the flu, COVID-19 or another contagious illness.  

AFC Athens to the rescue! 

At AFC Athens, we offer walk-in care every day for coughs, colds and respiratory symptoms. Our clinic provides rapid testing for illnesses such as COVID-19, the flu and pneumonia when needed. While we don’t have an on-site pharmacy, our providers can prescribe medications and help create a treatment plan tailored to your symptoms. 

If your nighttime cough is keeping you from getting the rest you need, our team is here to help you breathe easier and feel better around the clock.