Why does my cough get worse with postnasal drip at night?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have got a cough and a cold. I cough more at night in bed, and then I cough up mucus, so it is difficult to sleep. My throat feels irritated all the time. I have tried cough medicine, but the cough has not improved. Can you recommend any treatment? I cannot stop coughing during the daytime as well, and I also have postnasal drip.

Kindly advise.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Given the symptoms listed (cough with mucus, cough worse at night, throat irritation, postnasal drip following a cold), the most probable diagnosis is upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) with postnasal drip which causes throat irritation and cough at night.

Coughing may be caused by mucus draining from the nose and sinuses down the back of the throat. The cough is worse when lying down, which explains the worse night-time cough.

I would suggest the following steps:

Drink warm fluids such as tea, warm water or soup to help thin the mucus.
Try a steam inhalation or a humidifier to soothe the airways and ease irritation in the throat.
Sleep with the head of the bed slightly elevated to decrease mucus drainage into the throat.
A medicine that thins mucus, such as Guaifenesin, may help clear phlegm.

If allergies are contributing to the symptoms, an antihistamine such as Loratadine may be helpful in reducing post nasal drip.

Get medical help right away if any of the following symptoms occur:

Fever of more than 38 degrees Celsius (°C) or 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (F).
Trouble breathing or wheezing.
Pain in the chest.
Cough of over two to three weeks' duration.
Blood coughing.

Most coughs from the common cold will usually get better within one to two weeks, although a mild cough may sometimes stick around a little longer. Seek clinical evaluation by a physician if the symptoms do not improve or worsen.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.