HomeAnswersMedical GastroenterologydomperidoneI wake up coughing during the night. Please help.

I wake up coughing at night and swallow water to relieve this. Please advise.

Share

The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Answered by

Dr. Noushif. M

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At May 28, 2018
Reviewed AtDecember 27, 2023

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I always wake up coughing during the night. And when I eat, I get discomfort like trapped wind in my esophagus and have to swallow water hard to relieve this. I tested negative for H. pylori and currently on Lansoprazole which is not improving my symptoms much.

Kindly help.

Answered by Dr. Noushif. M

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Your symptoms are most likely due to gastroesophageal reflux disease, that is, acid reflux from the stomach to the food pipe in the chest. This happens more in the night hours which results in cough and sleep disturbances. Occasionally, it can also result in bad taste especially of undigested food particles at the rear end of the tongue.

This needs consistent lifestyle and diet modifications as well as medicines.

  1. Avoid heavy meals. Rather prefer small but short interval feeds.
  2. Avoid excess coffee, carbonated drinks, spicy foods and food items which can potentially relax the gastroesophageal sphincter.
  3. Avoid lying down or sleeping in a recumbent position immediately after having food. Rather have an early dinner and give an interval of one to two hours before you sleep.
  4. Keep the head end of the bed elevated (30 to 45 degrees) during sleep.

Regarding medicines, I suggest you add prokinetics like Domperidone (10 mg) or Ondansetron (8 mg) three times a day. You will need to continue this consistently for six weeks and see the response. I would like to have a look at your endoscopy report. You can send across the same when you review. Consider a review after four weeks.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

I will try to find the report. All it said was dyspepsia and inflamed duodenum.

Answered by Dr. Noushif. M

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

One of the two tablets I have mentioned will suffice.

All the best.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

Would I find it OTC?

Answered by Dr. Noushif. M

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

You can try getting medicines after consulting local GPs. Please consider sending the endoscopy, ultrasound and other reports too.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

Is there anything herbal you would recommend? And, how safe is Domperidone?

Answered by Dr. Noushif. M

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

No herbals, please. I would say a big 'no' to those.

Domperidone is a relatively safe drug. Take it for three weeks.

Thank you.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Noushif. M
Dr. Noushif. M

Surgical Gastroenterology

Community Banner Mobile
By subscribing, I agree to iCliniq's Terms & Privacy Policy.

Ask your health query to a doctor online

Medical Gastroenterology

*guaranteed answer within 4 hours

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. iCliniq privacy policy