Coughing
Remedies
A cough can worsen at night, when you’re lying down. Natural remedies for a nighttime cough include raising your head and using a humidifier.
Incline your bed
Lying down makes it easier for stomach acid to flow back into your esophagus. So it’s best to wait at least 2.5 hours after eating to lie flat. It may help to raise the head of your bed 6–8 inches.
People with GERD aren’t the only ones who can benefit from sleeping at an incline. Raising the head at night can help manage many types of cough.
It’s easier for irritants to make their way to your throat to trigger coughing when you’re lying down.
Ways of doing this include using wedge pillows or investing in an adjustable mattress or bed.
Sleep on a wedge pillow. The elevation helps you swallow secretions better and makes it harder for stomach acid to reflux.
Use a humidifier
Dry, warm air can dry out your throat and airways and make you more prone to coughing fits. Many people notice their cough worsens around the time they turn their heat on in the winter.
Running a humidifier that produces a cool mist can help keep the air in your bedroom and throat moist.
Use a room humidifier. “This is especially helpful in the winter, when dry air makes secretions thicker. A humidifier can break them up and thin them out,” Dr. Bhattacharyya says.
Stay upright after eating
Wait an hour or two before you lie down.