One of the most painful, exhausting symptoms of diseases of the upper respiratory tract is a cough at night. It lasts for several minutes and repeats up to 4 times in 8-10 hours. In this case, during the day, coughing can be practically absent or rarely occur.
Why is cough worse at night?
This problem occurs due to the fact that in the horizontal position of the body the liquid separated by the lungs does not circulate. There is a stagnation of sputum, which provokes the process of cleansing the lungs and bronchi in the form of a cough.
In addition, the cause of the symptom may be the casting of acidic stomach contents into the esophagus (reflux). It irritates the mucous membranes and the respiratory tract.
Tortured dry cough at night
The most common factors provoking the condition in question are:
- bronchial asthma ;
- viral or bacterial infections of the upper respiratory tract;
- too dry and cold air in the bedroom, dusty room;
- allergic reactions, especially if the pillow is made of natural ingredients (feather, down), in which microscopic mites reproduce;
- smoking.
Asphyxiating cough at night
The combination of the described syndrome with shortness of breath indicates the progression of cardiovascular diseases, as a rule - insufficiency.
Additional features:
- compressive pain in the sternum;
- numbness of the fingers of the left hand;
- spasm of the larynx.
Difficulty breathing and a strong cough can also signal the risk of a heart attack .
How to stop a fit of cough at night?
First of all, you need to eliminate the cause of the symptom and treat the underlying disease.
In addition, the following measures can be taken:
- Acquire an air humidifier.
- Replace the bedding so that they consist of synthetic fillers.
- Get rid of bad habits.
- If a cough causes an allergy, you should take antihistamines
medicines and refrain from contact with the stimulus. - In acute respiratory infections, antiviral or antibacterial agents are required, use of local antiseptic solutions for rinsing, steam or dry inhalation is indicated.
General recommendations to facilitate the state:
- Before going to bed, drink a glass of warm milk with 1 teaspoon of buckwheat honey.
- Instead of tea, use herbal infusions or decoctions with chamomile, mother-and-stepmother, licorice, St. John's wort, raspberry leaves.
- Gargle with a solution of baking soda and sea salt.