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My wife keeps coughing at midnight. What is the reason?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

My wife keeps coughing at midnight and has a breathing problem sometimes. So, the doctor suggested an X-ray. I am attaching the report here for your reference. I tried searching for information online and got some details, but I want to know the exact cause, stage, and treatment.

Please guide me.

Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

It would be very helpful if you would share how long she has had the symptoms of cough. Also, did she have any associated symptoms like fever, body ache? Did they bring up phlegm? Is there any history of weight loss or change in appetite? I assume that your symptoms were less than a week, and this may well represent acute bronchitis. It can be viral or bacterial. Keeping in mind the current viral season (influenza), it is most likely viral in origin.

But I can be more certain if you would kindly answer the questions above. Bronchitis, if viral, is only treated symptomatically, which means Paracetamol or Ibuprofen along with an inhaler (if wheezing is present) and cough syrup. The bacterial firm would need antibiotics. Rarely might we have to use oral or inhaled steroids. Please share the answers to the questions above, because if your symptoms are long-term term there will be a whole set of other differentials and treatments.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team
Published At May 6, 2016
Reviewed AtDecember 16, 2025

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Coughing at midnight?

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