Have you gone through a whole day feeling perfectly fine, but then you into bed at night and your throat begins to itch, turning into a coughing session? Of course all that coughing interferes with your sleep, leaving you irritable the next day. If you have ruled out the common cold or other respiratory infections, these five common reason reasons you may be coughing at night could solve the mystery.
Asthma. Most people always picture someone gasping for air when they think of asthma. Struggling to breathe can be a symptom, but so can a dry cough. Talk to a doctor it out as a reason for your coughing problems at night.
Sinusitis. A chronic stuffy nose could also be the cause of your problems. If your sinuses are clogged, mucus can drip down the back of the throat, causing an annoying tickle. Allergies could be the reason for your sinusitis. If trying a neti pot doesn’t help, your doctor may be able to prescribe an allergy medication or nasal spray to handle the issue.
Acid Reflux. When lying down, the acid in your stomach, which also causes heartburn and indigestion, can rise into the lungs. If you believe this to be the problem, try consuming a smaller dinner earlier in the evening and propping your head up when you go to sleep. There are also a variety of OTC medications that can work wonders.
Iron Deficiency. Your diet could be causing you to not consume enough iron. When your body is low in iron, swelling and itching occurs in the back of your throat, which leads to coughing. If this is the problem, an iron supplement will do the job.
Check Your Drugs. Medications, like Ace inhibitors prescribed for high blood pressure, can cause the side effect of a dry cough. Talk to your pharmacist to see if your body is having a negative reaction to the medication.
Don’t be afraid to take charge of your health. Always consult with a physician if you have any long term problems that disrupt your sleep in any way!
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