Effective Tips for Stopping Nighttime Coughing Without Medication

A nagging nighttime cough can make it difficult to fall and stay asleep. Whether it’s due to a cold, allergies, or another condition, coughing spells disrupt much-needed rest. While over-the-counter cough medicine provides temporary relief, it often causes unwanted side effects. Thankfully, there are several natural ways to help suppress coughing at night so you can sleep better.

Tips to Stop Nighttime Coughing:

1. Use a Humidifier - Dry air aggravates coughs. Running a humidifier in your room adds moisture to the air and soothes airway irritation.

2. Warm Fluids - Sipping warm tea, broth, or lemon water can help loosen mucus and relieve coughs. Peppermint and ginger tea work especially well.

3. Honey - Honey is a natural cough suppressant. Take 1-2 tsp straight before bed or mix it into tea. However, avoid giving honey to infants under 1 year old.

4. Throat Lozenges - Lozenges contain soothing ingredients like menthol, honey, and eucalyptus to coat and calm the throat.

5. Anti-Tussives - Over-the-counter cough suppressants like dextromethorphan provide short-term nighttime relief by suppressing the cough reflex.

6. Expectorants - OTC expectorants like guaifenesin help thin mucus and stop coughs by promoting drainage. Avoid suppressing productive coughs.

7. Chest Rubs - Rubbing Vapo-Rub on the chest provides a cooling sensation that reduces coughing.

8. Essential Oils - Diffusing essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus, and tea tree oil at nighttime helps open airways and loosen mucus.

9. Elevate Your Head - Use extra pillows to prop your head up at an incline to prevent post-nasal drip from triggering coughs while lying down.

10. Marshmallow Root - Marshmallow root contains a mucilage that coats and soothes sore throats and coughs. Take it before bed or sip it as tea.

Conclusion

Removing the source of the cough while using natural remedies and making your sleep environment more humid can help minimize disruptive nighttime coughing fits. Addressing the source of the cough will lead to better results. So, the next time you are suffering from a nighttime cough, try some of these natural remedies and see if they provide you with the relief you need to sleep better.

Key Takeaways

Using a humidifier Drinking warm fluids with honey Using cough medicine as needed Diffusing essential oils Elevating your head Trying natural cough remedies like marshmallow root

By implementing these tips, you can soothe a nagging nighttime cough and enjoy a better night's sleep. For persistent coughing that lasts more than a week or two, it's important to consult a doctor to rule out any underlying conditions.