Dry nighttime cough: 7 main causes (and what to do to alleviate it)

A dry nighttime cough can arise due to flu, colds, sinusitis or respiratory allergies, for example, which can stimulate the production of mucus, which drips down the throat, triggering the cough reflex.

A nighttime cough is the body’s defense and its main function is to eliminate foreign elements and secretions from the respiratory tract. This cough is quite uncomfortable and tiring but can be relieved with simple measures, such as taking a sip of water and keeping the house clean. See what to do to get rid of your cough faster.

However, it is important to consult an otorhinolaryngologist or pulmonologist when a dry cough is very common or is accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, coughing up blood or shortness of breath, as they may indicate something more serious, requiring medical treatment.

9 main causes of night cough

The main causes of dry nighttime cough are:

1. Respiratory allergies, such as asthma or rhinitis;
2. Bronchitis or bronchiolitis;
3. Infections, such as flu, cold, sinusitis, COVID-19 or pneumonia;
4. Inhaling smoke or vapors, or smoking habit;
5. Gastroesophageal reflux;
6. Adenoids;
7. Whooping cough;
8. Tuberculosis or COPD;
9. Use of medicines for high blood pressure, such as captopril or enalapril.

Furthermore, dry nocturnal coughs in children may arise due to the presence of foreign bodies inside the nose, such as beans, corn kernels or small toys, emotional tension, fear of the dark or fear of sleeping alone. Check out other causes of dry cough.

Why is the cough worse at night?

The cough worsens at night because, when lying down, the secretions remain in the back of the throat instead of coming out through the nose, due to gravity.

This causes the cough reflex to be activated naturally, to try to eliminate the mucus that has accumulated in the throat.

In the case of gastroesophageal reflux, the cough worsens at night, as when lying down there is no force of gravity to help the gastric contents remain in the stomach, causing them to return towards the mouth and irritate the throat.

What to do to relieve a dry nighttime cough

Some simple tips to help stop coughing at night are:

1. Drink water or tea before bed

Taking a sip of water at room temperature or sipping warm tea before bed can be a good way to relieve and prevent a dry cough at night. This will keep your throat more hydrated, which helps calm your cough.

Furthermore, warm milk sweetened with honey can also be a good option, it helps keep the body warm and hydrate the airways, in addition to falling asleep faster, as it combats insomnia. Discover other home remedy options for coughs.

2. Clean your nose before bed

Preventing the accumulation of secretions inside the nose, cleaning it with a damp cotton swab or blowing on a tissue are good ways to unblock the nose and prevent a dry cough from appearing at night.

In addition, you can also nebulize before going to bed, take advantage of the hot steam in the bath or wash your nose with saline solution, for example. Find out how to wash your nose to unclog your nose.

3. Avoid dry air indoors

To keep the air less dry in the house, it is recommended to leave a bucket of water near the fan or air conditioning. 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 soothes dry nighttime coughs and adds a pleasant aroma indoors.

A homemade way to achieve this same effect is to place 2 to 4 drops of an essential oil of your choice in a basin, fill with hot water and let the steam spread throughout the rooms of the house.

4. Keep the house clean

A dry, irritating cough is usually related to some type of respiratory allergy, so keeping your home and workplace clean and organized can make all the difference, calming your cough.

Some tips that can help are:

• Keep the house well ventilated, opening windows whenever possible;
• Remove stuffed animals, curtains and rugs from the house;
• Clean the house daily with a damp cloth, without using strong-smelling products;
• Remove excess objects and papers, especially from under beds, sofas and above cabinets;
• Store pillows and mattresses in anti-allergenic covers;
• Place mattresses and pillows in the sun whenever possible;
• Change pillows and cushions periodically because they accumulate dust mites that are harmful to your health.

These measures must be adopted as a new lifestyle and therefore must be maintained for life.

5. Elevate your head and neck when sleeping

To improve a dry nighttime cough, you can use a cushion or pillow to keep your head elevated. While this may be recommended for adults, it is not suitable for young children.

For babies and children, it is recommended to place something under the bed to elevate it, such as some boards, a rolled up towel or some books, for example, which help to slightly elevate the head. See other natural ways to relieve a dry cough.

When to go to the doctor

It is important to consult an otolaryngologist or pulmonologist in the following cases:

• Dry cough for more than 1 week or coughing up blood;
• Green or yellow phlegm;
• Fever;
• Chest pain;
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing;
• Wheezing in the chest when breathing;
• Sore throat or difficulty swallowing;
• Excessive tiredness.

In addition, you should go to the emergency room immediately if you have an asthma attack, as it is a serious condition that can worsen quickly and cause complications. See how asthma attacks are treated.