Having a cough can be frustrating, especially when it lasts longer than other symptoms and just won’t seem to go away. Having a persistent cough can interrupt your sleep and productivity. If you’re finding that your cough is impacting your sleep, or even getting worse at night, you’re not alone. This article will review practical ways that you can manage and get rid of a cough so that you can get back on your regular sleep schedule!
If you’re struggling to shake a cough, or have a cough that is worse at night, you may need to seek medical care. Coughing can indicate a wide range of different medical conditions. At AFC West Long Branch, our board-certified medical providers are experts in identifying the underlying causes of coughs and treating them effectively! Walk into the clinic for same-day cough treatment today, or save your spot online in advance below.
Why Does My Cough Get Worse at Night?
If you’re fighting off a cough caused by an upper respiratory infection like a cold, you may notice that your cough seems to get more severe at night. This isn’t just your tired mind playing tricks on you! Coughs can get worse at night for a few reasons. One common cause is due to post-nasal drip. When your body excretes mucus down your throat, you feel it more when you’re laying down and it can cause airway irritation which leads to excessive coughing. Laying down can also put more pressure on your lungs, which can irritate them and make it harder to breathe, causing a cough.
Tips for Stopping a Nighttime Cough
Take Nighttime Decongestants
If you’re coughing because you're sick, decongestants can reduce irritation caused by post-nasal drip by reducing mucus production. Nighttime specific decongestants are designed to help you fall asleep and stay asleep.
Prop Your Head Up and Sleep on Your Back
Elevating your head, or even your entire upper body can help reduce pressure on the lungs, which can lead to less coughing. Additionally, mucus is less likely to pool in the throat when you’re upright compared to when you’re laying down, which can reduce airway irritation.
Use a Humidifier with an Airborne Decongestant
Using a humidifier can help add moisture into the air and soothe irritated airways. Additionally, humidity can help break up any mucus in your lungs, helping your body expel it more easily. There are solutions you can add to a humidifier, such as vicks, which are designed to clear the sinuses and airways and help you breathe better.
Walk Into AFC West Long Branch for Convenient Treatment for Coughs
Coughing can be a very frustrating illness symptom. If you’re struggling to get a good night's rest due to a persistent cough, consider these tips to get a good night's sleep. If your cough is severe or accompanied by additional symptoms like a fever, you may need medical treatment to clear up the infection and manage your symptoms.
At AFC Urgent Care West Long Branch, our walk-in clinic in West Long Branch, NJ makes it easy to receive affordable medical care for conditions like coughs. We treat patients of all ages, and have short wait times for walk-in patients! We offer affordable rates for self-paying patients, and accept most medical insurance plans. Walk into the clinic today for convenient same-day cough treatment!
