Night Growl: How to Stop Coughing at Night

We’ve all been there, curled up under the covers, ready for a peaceful night’s sleep, when suddenly, you're in a full-blown coughing fit. Nighttime coughing can be more than just annoying; it’s downright exhausting.

But don’t worry! With the right techniques, remedies, and lifestyle changes, you’ll know how to relieve coughing at night and discover what kills a sore throat fast overnight so you can get that well-deserved, restful sleep you need.

Causes of Nighttime Coughing

Before tackling the solutions, it’s important to understand the reasons behind that irritating nighttime cough. A few common culprits include:

1. Postnasal Drip
   
   When you lie down, mucus from your sinuses can drip down the back of your throat, triggering a cough reflex. Postnasal drip, which involves mucus buildup in the throat, can irritate the throat and trigger coughing, especially at night.¹ This condition, often referred to as upper airway cough syndrome (UACS), is a common cause of chronic cough.
2. Dry Air
   
   Dry indoor air, especially when you use air-conditioning, can irritate the throat, making you more prone to coughing. When the air is dry, it can cause dehydration of the upper airways, which in turn can irritate the mucous membranes and lead to respiratory issues.²
3. Acid Reflux
   If you’ve got a case of heartburn, acid from the stomach can creep up into your esophagus and irritate your throat, leading to coughing. One study discusses how GERD-related chronic cough is often exacerbated at night because lying down can increase the likelihood of acid reflux, which in turn irritates the throat and airways, leading to coughing.³
4. Asthma
   Some people experience asthma symptoms more intensely at night, with coughing being a prominent sign. Research on nocturnal asthma has shown that lung function tends to decrease during sleep, which can exacerbate asthma symptoms, leading to coughing and discomfort at night.⁴ This is often due to the body’s circadian rhythms and other factors such as increased exposure to allergens, cooling of the airways, and changes in bronchial function while lying down.

Use Lozenges

For an effective home remedy for dry cough at night, Dextromethorphan HBr (Strepsils Dry
Cough) is an antitussive lozenge that reduces the urge to cough so you can get a good night’s rest.

If you have a cough with phlegm, Ambroxol Hydrochloride (Strepsils Chesty Cough) helps clear your airways and controls chesty cough caused by excessive viscous mucus.

Unlike non-medicated lozenges or sweets, Dextromethorphan HBr (Strepsils) Dry Cough and Ambroxol Hydrochloride (Strepsils) Chesty Cough provide clinically proven relief in as fast as 60 seconds.

You can view our Lozenges product page to find a flavor and other formulation that works best for you.

Elevate Your Head While Sleeping

If you’re experiencing severe coughing at night, it is better to elevate your head at least six to eight inches to offer some relief dealing with your cough. Your beauty sleep might be disrupted more as irritants can easily enter your respiratory system while you are lying down¹²

Stay Hydrated Throughout the Day

Proper hydration helps thin mucus and maintain the moisture of the mucous membranes, making it less likely to irritate your throat.

A study by Kalina R. Atanasova & Leah R. Reznikov found that staying well-hydrated can help alleviate throat irritation and reduce the frequency of coughing.⁷

Consider a Humidifier

Humidifiers can be game changers! If you’re sleeping in a dry environment, a humidifier can help by adding moisture back into the air, making it easier to breathe. This is particularly useful if you use air conditioning, which can make the air drier.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the best indoor relative humidity falls between 30% and 50%, and it should never exceed 60%.7 In addition to having a comfortable sleep, many experts agree the ideal temperature for sleep is 65°F (18.3°C).⁸

Warm Beverages

Drinking warm beverages may help make you feel better when you have a cough.

• Honey: Known for its natural antibacterial properties, honey can coat and soothe your throat. Try a spoonful before bed or mix it into warm tea. Studies, like this one on honey’s effectiveness for cough relief, support its role in reducing cough symptoms, especially in children.⁹

• Ginger Tea: Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce throat irritation. Brew a cup before bedtime to help soothe your cough. There isn’t any solid research to support ginger’s overall effectiveness against cough, but there are also some reviews where it says ginger can prevent cold symptoms.10

Use Cough-Relief Techniques

Different techniques, such as diaphragmatic breathing, can help you manage your cough. Moreover, relaxing breathing exercises can also reduce stress, which may ease nighttime symptoms.

Avoid Triggers Before Bedtime

Avoiding food, drinks, or activities that might trigger a cough can also be helpful. Refrain from eating large meals, drinking caffeine, or smoking close to bedtime. These can all stimulate acid reflux or irritate your throat, making it harder to get a good night’s sleep.

Practice Good Sleep Hygiene

Ensuring you have a good sleep routine can help you wind down more easily. Dimming lights, avoiding looking at screens 30 minutes before bed, and keeping your bedroom cool can all set the stage for a restful night.

How to Relieve Your Itchy Throat at Night?

When you have a cough, you’ll sometimes also have an itchy throat. Medicated cough lozenges such as Dextromethorphan HBr (Strepsils) Dry Cough and Ambroxol Hydrochloride (Strepsils) Chesty Cough also provide sore throat relief in as fast as 60 seconds.

When to Call a Doctor

If your cough persists for more than a week, disrupts your sleep regularly, or is accompanied by other symptoms like fever, wheezing, or significant discomfort, it may be time to consult a healthcare provider. Chronic nighttime coughing can sometimes signal a more serious underlying condition that needs medical attention.

Key Takeaways

By following these tips, such as trying different sleep positions to stop coughing and staying hydrated, you’ll be better equipped to quiet that nighttime growl and enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep.
Remember, soothing relief is just a lozenge away. Explore our products at the Reckitt Health and Beauty Store on Lazada and Reckitt Health Official on Shopeeor at your nearest drugstore or convenience store and feel the difference for yourself.

References:

1. Gibson, P. G. (2020). Addressing chronic cough in adults: Understanding underlying causes and treatments. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, 87(2), 83-92. https://doi.org/10.3949/ccjm.87a.ccc015
2. Holland, K. (2018, May 23). How dry air affects your health. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/dry-air
3. Phillips, K. R., & Brown, R. D. (2022). The role of circadian rhythms in airway reactivity and inflammation. Frontiers in Physiology, 13, 1005404. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.1005404
4. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2021). Study: Biological clock may explain why asthma worsens at night. NHLBI News. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/news/2021/study-biological-clock-may-explain-why-asthma-worsens-night
5. Parson, R. (2012). The effect of humidification on nighttime cough relief. Medscape. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/765033_4
6. Prolonged cough and its association with asthma in non-smokers. (2019). Respiratory Research, 20(1), 239. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12931-019-1239-z
7. S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2021). Mold course chapter 2: Humidifiers and mold prevention. EPA. https://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-course-chapter-2
8. Sleep Foundation. (2022). What’s the best temperature for sleep? Sleep Foundation. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/bedroom-environment/best-temperature-for-sleep
9. Smith, R. P., & Jones, A. M. (2015). The relationship between chronic cough and airway inflammation. Journal of Pulmonary Medicine, 17(4), 101-115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpm.2015.03.011
10. Zhang, Y., & Li, S. (2015). Effect of air humidity on cough. Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology, 205, 115-119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resp.2015.02.005
11. Schmidlin, P. R., & Chappuis, V. (2020). The impact of dry air on cough reflex: A clinical study. Clinical Oral Investigations, 24(6), 2127-2134. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-020-03748-w
12. How to stop coughing at night. https://www.healthline.com/health/coughing-at-night
13. Diaphragmatic Breathing. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9445-diaphragmatic-breathing. Accessed April 15, 2025