How to treat coughing at night

Nov 11, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Ren Yi

Introduction

In general, coughing at night may be caused by dry indoor air, gastroesophageal reflux, common cold, bronchitis, pneumonia, and other reasons. Appropriate management depends on the specific situation and may mainly include increasing indoor air humidity, avoiding eating before bedtime, and medication treatment. If the cough persists or is accompanied by other severe symptoms such as fever or difficulty breathing, it is recommended to seek medical attention at a hospital promptly.

Generally, nighttime coughing may be caused by dry indoor air, gastroesophageal reflux, common cold, bronchitis, pneumonia, and other factors. Management varies accordingly and mainly includes increasing indoor humidity, avoiding eating before bedtime, and medication therapy.

1. Dry indoor air: If the indoor air is excessively dry, the respiratory mucosa may become dry and fragile, making it more susceptible to irritation and resulting in coughing. It is recommended to use a humidifier to increase indoor air humidity, maintain indoor cleanliness, and ensure regular ventilation.

2. Gastroesophageal reflux: When lying flat at night, stomach acid may reflux into the esophagus or even reach the throat, irritating the mucous membranes of the throat and causing coughing. It is recommended to avoid eating before bedtime and elevate the head of the bed during sleep to reduce acid reflux via gravitational effects.

3. Common cold: A viral infection causing a cold may lead to congestion and inflammation of the mucous membranes in areas such as the nasal cavity and throat. Nasal secretions may drip backward and irritate the throat at night, or throat inflammation may worsen when lying flat, triggering coughing. It is recommended to use medications such as dextromethorphan hydrobromide tablets, compound paracetamol and amantadine capsules, or compound licorice tablets under a doctor's guidance.

4. Bronchitis: In patients with bronchitis, nighttime vagal nerve excitation may further cause bronchoconstriction. Additionally, lying flat may lead to accumulation of respiratory secretions, irritating the tracheal and bronchial mucosa and causing coughing. It is recommended to use medications such as amoxicillin capsules, cefuroxime axetil granules, or budesonide nasal spray under a doctor's guidance to relieve symptoms.

5. Pneumonia: At night, the body's immunity is relatively low, and lung inflammation may irritate the alveoli and bronchi, causing coughing. Inflammatory responses may also increase pulmonary exudates, further irritating the respiratory tract. It is recommended to use medications such as cefdinir capsules, terbutaline sulfate granules, or salbutamol inhalation aerosol under a doctor's guidance to manage symptoms.

If coughing persists or is accompanied by other severe symptoms such as fever or difficulty breathing, it is recommended to seek timely medical attention at a hospital to determine the underlying cause and receive targeted treatment.

View All

Does whooping cough still require medication if there is still an occasional cough at night?

If pertussis has entered the recovery phase, and the patient has completed a full course of standardized treatment, with daytime coughing nearly resolved and only occasional mild coughing at night—without other symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath, or vomiting—medication may generally be discontinued after medical evaluation. At this stage, the mild cough is usually a normal response during the healing process of the respiratory mucosa, and the body can gradually recover on its own without continued reliance on medication.