Why do we cough much more during the night?
By kalav56
@kalav56 (11464)
India
March 4, 2008 9:53pm CST
I have had an allergic cough and I thought it was on its way out.But every night I start coughing badly with an irritation in my throat ,so much so that my son remarked that my night duty had started. I had some hot water and slept better. But, we always tend to cough much more during the night than during the day time.Do you not think so?
1 person likes this
2 responses
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
5 Mar 08
You cough more because your whole body is relaxed.
@thebeing (657)
• Romania
5 Mar 08
it doesn't have to do anything with relaxing, it's about posture. because most people sleep on their back, the only way to clean the airways is by coughing. Throghout the day, when we're sitting or stand, and especially when we're doing something, our breathing rate is higher than at night, when we sleep. that's because the body doesn't need as much oxygen at night as it needs at day. that's another factor.
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
9 Mar 08
There are a few schools of thought on this. There can be a few co-factors involved from what I understand. Some of them are:
Some people tend to become mouth breathers at night. Not filtering air through the nostrils dries out the passages at the back of the throat and causes coughing.
If the air is dry that can cause coughing at night.
Some have moments where they temporarily stop breathing and they cough because of that.
Allergies can cause coughing..as do stuffed up sinuses.
Lack of adequate hydration during the waking hours can also contribute to night coughing.
I think it depends on the person...and what is going on in their environment that causes coughing. Not everyone coughs more at night...at least that is what I find in working with people with a variety of health concerns. It is not, in my opinion a 'natural' thing. There are contributing factors and when they are cleared up the symptoms go away.
Anyway, that is my perspective on this one. I am enjoying your topics as you can tell! Good to be visiting you here. I value your support of Perspectives topics and welcome the chance to chat here.
Raia
