To calm a nighttime cough, it may be interesting to take a sip of water, avoid dry air and keep the rooms in the house always clean, as this is how it is possible to keep the throat hydrated and avoid factors that can favor and aggravate the cough.
Nocturnal cough is a defense of the body, having as its main function the elimination of foreign elements and secretions from the airways. This cough is quite uncomfortable and tiring but it can be solved with simple measures.
However, it is important to see the doctor when the person cannot sleep due to a cough, when the cough is very frequent and occurs more than 5 days a week, or when it is accompanied by phlegm, fever, or other symptoms that may indicate something more serious. , such as the presence of coughing up blood.
4 tips to stop nighttime coughing
What can you do to stop the nocturnal cough of adults and children is:
1. Hydrate the throat
Taking a sip of room temperature water or a sip of warm tea when the cough appears, can be interesting to stop the night cough. This will keep your mouth and throat hydrated, which will help soothe a dry cough. Warm milk sweetened with honey can also be a good option, which even helps you fall asleep faster, as it fights insomnia. Learn about other home remedies for coughing.
2. Keep the airways clear
In addition to preventing phlegm by taking all the necessary measures, it is important to avoid the accumulation of solid secretions inside the nose, cleaning it with a wet cotton swab, for example. It can also be interesting to do a mist or take advantage of the hot steam of the bath to blow your nose so that it is unobstructed. Learn how to wash your nose to unclog your nose.
3. Avoid dry air indoors
In order for the house to have less dry air, it is recommended to leave a bucket of water near the fan or air conditioner. Another possibility is to wet a towel with warm water and leave it on a chair, for example.
Using an air humidifier can also be helpful, and this can be used for aromatherapy, which calms cough and imparts a pleasant aroma indoors. A homemade way to achieve this same effect is to put 2 to 4 drops of essential oil of your choice in a basin, fill it with hot water and let the steam spread through the rooms of the house.
4. Keep the house clean
A dry and irritating cough is usually related to some type of respiratory allergy and therefore keeping the house and workplace always clean and organized can make all the difference, calming the cough. Some tips that can help are:
- Keep the house always well ventilated, opening the windows whenever possible;
- Remove stuffed animals, curtains, and rugs from the house;
- Clean the house daily, without using strong-smelling products;
- Remove excess objects and papers, especially under beds, sofas, and above cabinets;
- Store pillows and mattresses in anti-allergic covers;
- Place mattresses and pillows in the sun whenever possible;
- Change pillows and pillows periodically because they accumulate mites that are harmful to health.
These measures must be adopted as a new way of life and therefore must be maintained for life.
What makes coughing worse at night
Nocturnal cough can be caused by flu, colds, or allergies, for example. Nocturnal cough is irritating and excessive and can make sleep difficult, since when the person lies down, the drainage of secretions from the airways becomes more difficult, favoring their accumulation and stimulating coughing. The main causes of nocturnal cough, which especially affects children, are:
- Respiratory allergy such as asthma or rhinitis;
- Recent viral infection of the airways, such as the flu, cold, or pneumonia;
- Presence of foreign bodies inside the nose, such as corn kernels or small toys;
- Aspiration of smoke or vapors that can inflame the tissues of the nose and throat;
- Emotional tension, fear of the dark, fear of sleeping alone;
- Gastro-esophageal reflux: when food backs up from the stomach into the esophagus, irritating the throat.
Another possible cause of nocturnal cough is the enlargement of the adenoid, a protective structure between the nose and throat, which favors the accumulation of secretions.
