How to tackle night time cough and sleep properly

Night time coughs cause great irritation of throat and disturb sleep. Although coughing is a protection mechanism to get rid of mucus and to clear congested airways, it can cause irritation and disturbs sleep. Here are some of the ways to tackle the cough and ensure good sleep:-

1.Drink hot beverages: - Drinking hot beverages like soups or herbal tea can help break the mucus in the throat facilitating greater relief. However, drinking coffee or any caffeinated beverage is not advisable. Honey can be gargled and swallowed to soothe the irritation of throat.

2.Reduce the effect of gravity: - when an individual lies down, all the postnasal drainage and mucus that he has swallowed during the daytime flows towards throat worsening its irritation. Same can happen with acid reflux. Hence it is advised that individuals should keep the head level higher than rest of the body. Propping up on Pillows will surely help. Raising the head of bed by wooden blocks can be used for this purpose.

3.Over-the- counter medications: - These medications can be used to soothe the irritation of throat. These medications work in two ways. An expectorant medicine can help to segregate mucus and make it less tight. Cough suppressant medications block the cough reflex reducing the coughing spell. The medicine should be chosen as per the requirement. Medical practitioners’ or pharmacists’ suggestion can be considered for choosing the medication.

4.See the doctor: - Nighttime cough lasting for more than a week is dangerous and can be a signal of some other illness. It is necessary to consult the doctor in this situation. The exact cause can be figured out more effectively and quick treatment will relieve from irritating symptoms and risk of possible illnesses.

5.Keep bedding clean: - If cough is caused by allergies or asthma, it is necessary to look after hygiene of furniture and bedding. Dust mites which are often found in bed and thrive on dead skin flakes are a common trigger of allergy. To get rid of them, the bedding can be washed in hot water or kept under direct sunlight. Mattress and pillows can be wrapped in plastic to stop dust mites from invading.

6.Use steam carefully:-Steam can be used to free the clogged airways. However, they may get excessively dry in this process therefore worsening the cough. Steam should be avoided if cough is caused by Asthma.

7.Use humidifiers carefully:-If the air is dry, humidifiers can be used to increase the moisture in the environment and consequently in the airways. However, too much moisture supports thriving of dust mites and molds. Humidity is to be kept at 40% to 50% level which is measured by a device called hygrometer.

8.Prepare for emergency: In case if the emergency arises, be prepared for it. Keep the cough medications or drops along with glass of water by your bed or at the place where they are easily accessible.

Comments? Questions? Email Here

© HowtoAdvice.com