Dry cough is a common ailment that affects people of all ages. It is a type of cough that produces little or no mucus and can be persistent and annoying. There are several over-the-counter cough remedies available. Many people prefer to turn to home remedies to reduce their symptoms. Let’s understand some of the effective home remedies for dry cough at night.
1. Honey:
Individuals are utilizing honey from hundreds of years to reduce sore throat and coughing. It has antibacterial properties that help to kill off microbes. Honey is also beneficial in reducing inflammation in the throat. We can use honey as a home remedy for dry cough. Blend one to two teaspoons of raw, organic honey with warm water or tea and drink it. You can likewise add a crush of lemon juice for added flavour and additional benefits.
2. Ginger:
Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory ingredient. It can assist with reducing dry cough by decreasing inflammation in the throat. Many people utilize ginger as a home cure. Mix a tablespoon of grated ginger with hot water and honey, and drink the mixture. You can likewise add ginger to your tea or soup for extra benefits.
3. Garlic:
Garlic has antibacterial and antiviral properties. It can help to reduce dry cough. To use garlic as a home remedy, crush a few cloves of garlic and add them to a pot of boiling water. Allow the blend to soak for few minutes, then strain and drink the fluid. You can likewise add garlic to your soups, stews, and other dishes for extra benefits.
4. Steam:
Steam can help to relieve dry cough by loosening mucus and soothing the throat. We can adopt steam as a home remedy. Fill a huge bowl with high temperature water, place a towel over your head, and breathe in the steam for few minutes. You can also take a hot shower or use a humidifier to add moisture to the air in your home.
5. Saltwater:
Saltwater can assist with easing dry cough by decreasing inflammation in the throat. Some people use saltwater as a home remedy. Blend a half teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water, and gargle the combination for few seconds. Spit out the saltwater and repeat the process several times a day.
6. Vitamin C:
Vitamin C is an antioxidant. It can assist with boosting the immune system and decreasing inflammation in the throat. To use vitamin C as a home remedy, eat foods that are high in vitamin C, such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruits. You can likewise have vitamin C supplements or drink vitamin C-rich juices. It helps to increase your intake of this important nutrient.
7. Liquorice:
People are using liquorice from centuries. It helps them to soothe a sore throat and relieve coughing. Liquorice contains a substance called glycyrrhizin. It helps to reduce inflammation in the throat and ease coughing. We can use liquorice as a home remedy. Drink liquorice tea or chew on liquorice root. You can also take liquorice supplements. We should be aware that these can cause high blood pressure and other side effects in some people.
8. Mustard oil:
Mustard oil has warming properties that can help to relieve a dry cough. Many people use mustard oil as a home remedy. Mix a few drops of mustard oil with warm water and massage the mixture onto your chest and throat. You can also add a few drops of mustard oil to a pot of boiling water and inhale the steam to help reduce coughing.
9. Peppermint tea
This tea may help relieve symptoms of a dry cough at night. Peppermint contains menthol. It has a cooling and soothing effect on the throat. This can suppress the cough reflex. Drinking warm liquids, like peppermint tea, can also help to moisturize the throat. It can further be beneficial to relieve symptoms of a dry cough.
10. Warm compress
A warm compress can provide temporary relief for some symptoms of a dry cough. It can be especially if there is muscle tension or pain in throat while coughing. Applying a warm compress to the chest or throat can help relax the muscles and reduce discomfort. The heat from the compress can also help loosen up mucus, making it easier to cough up.
A dry cough at night may cause due to a variety of factors, including:
1. Allergies:
Allergies can cause a dry cough at night by irritating the airways. It can also trigger an immune response. You may inhale allergens, like dust, pet dander, or pollen. As a result, your body releases histamine and other chemicals in response. This can cause inflammation and swelling in the airways. It can also cause symptoms like a runny or congested nose, itchy eyes, and a dry, persistent cough.
Additionally, lying down flat at night can exacerbate symptoms of an allergy-related cough. It is due to gravity that can cause mucus to accumulate in the airways. This may lead to coughing and difficulty breathing. Treating the underlying allergy is the best way to relieve symptoms. It can help to cure an allergy-related dry cough at night. This may involve avoiding allergens. We can use over-the-counter or prescription allergy medications. Consulting an allergist for allergy testing and personalized treatment recommendations is also beneficial. Dust, pollen, pet dander, and other allergens can cause a dry cough at night.
2. Acid reflux:
Acid reflux can cause a dry cough at night by irritating the airways with stomach acid. It happens when the items in the stomach including stomach acid, stream back up into the throat. This can cause side effects like heartburn and a sour taste in the mouth. At the point when acid reflux arrives at the throat and voice box, it can cause irritation and swelling. This can lead to a persistent dry cough. The cough is often worse at night. It is on the grounds that resting down flat can make it more straightforward for stomach acid to stream back up into the throat.
Treating acid reflux is the best way to relieve symptoms of a cough caused by acid reflux. This might include lifestyle changes such as losing weight, not eating fatty or spicy foods. We should sleep with the head of the bed elevated. Some medications like antacids, H2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors can also be beneficial. It’s ideal to consult a specialist for a correct diagnosis and customized treatment plan. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can make acid to disturb the throat. This can lead to dry cough.
3. Sinusitis:
Sinusitis, or inflammation of the sinuses, can cause a dry cough at night. It can irritate the airways that leads to postnasal drip. Sinusitis may also occur due to a viral or bacterial infection, allergies or structural problems with the sinuses. When the sinuses become inflamed, they produce abundance of bodily fluid. It can drain into the throat and trigger a cough. The cough is more terrible at night resting level can make it simpler for bodily fluid to drain into the throat.
Treating sinusitis is the best way to relieve symptoms of a cough caused by sinusitis. This may involve antibiotics for bacterial infections, decongestants or nasal corticosteroids. They may help in reducing inflammation or nasal irrigation to help clear mucus. At times, surgery might be essential to correct structural problems with the sinuses. Inflammation and infection in the sinuses can cause postnasal drip. This leads to a dry cough at night.
4. Environmental irritants
Environmental irritants can cause a dry cough at night. It can irritate the airways and trigger a reflexive cough response. Irritants can incorporate smoke, dust, chemicals or fumes. It can be in any form present in the air. At the point when you breathe in irritants, they can cause inflammation and swelling in the airways. This leads to symptoms like a dry persistent cough. The cough is often worse at night because exposure to irritants during the day can cause the airways to become more sensitive. Lying down flat can make it harder for irritants to clear from the airways. Treating environmental irritants is the best way to relieve symptoms of a cough. This might include eliminating the source of the irritants or utilizing air purifiers. Wearing a mask to reduce exposure is also beneficial. Exposure to smoke, pollution, or strong odours can cause a dry cough at night.
5. Respiratory infections:
Respiratory infections may cause by viruses like common cold or flu. It can also cause due to bacteria such as pneumonia. When the airways become infected, they become inflamed and produce excess mucus. This leads to symptoms like a runny or congested nose, a fever, and dry cough. The cough is often worse at night because lying down flat can make it easier for mucus to accumulate in the airways. This leads to coughing and difficulty in breathing. Treating the underlying respiratory infection is the best way to relieve symptoms of a dry cough. This may involve antibiotics for bacterial infections. People should take antiviral medications for viral infections. Some over-the-counter medications can help for symptom relief. It’s best to consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis and personalized treatment plan. A viral or bacterial infection can cause a dry cough, especially at night.
6. Asthma:
Asthma can cause a dry cough at night by irritating the airways. It can lead to narrowing and difficulty breathing. Asthma is a chronic condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways. This makes it difficult for air to move in and out of the lungs. It can lead to symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and dry cough, especially at night. The cough is often worse at night. It is because lying down flat can make it harder for air to move in and out of the lungs. This leads to increased coughing and difficulty breathing.
Treating asthma is the best way to relieve symptoms of a dry cough caused by asthma. This may involve taking inhaled medications, such as bronchodilators or corticosteroids. It benefits to reduce airway inflammation and improve breathing. The best solution is to consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis and personalized treatment plan. Asthma can cause coughing, especially at night, due to narrowing of the airways.
7. Sleeping position:
Sleeping position can cause a dry cough at night. It can make it harder for mucus and irritants to clear from the airways. Lying down flat can cause mucus to accumulate in the airways. This leads to increased coughing and difficulty breathing. It is particularly true for people with conditions like asthma or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Lying flat can make it harder for air to move in and out of the lungs. This can cause stomach acid to flow back up into the esophagus, leading to irritation and coughing. We should sleep with our head elevated.
To do this we can pop up pillows or use a wedge-shaped pillow. It can help reduce the risk of a dry cough at night. Additionally, avoiding triggers like smoking, pets, or exposure to irritants before bed. This can also help reduce coughing at night. If the cough persists or is severe, it’s best to consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis and personalized treatment plan. Sleeping with the mouth open or lying on the back can cause coughing at night.
FAQ’s:
Ans: During a dry cough, it’s recommended to avoid the following:
1. Avoid exposure to irritants, such as smoke, pollution, dust, and strong scents.
2. Alcohol can irritate the airways and make coughing worse.
3. Dairy products can increase mucus production and make coughing worse.
4. Caffeine can stimulate the airways and increase coughing
5. Spicy foods can irritate the airways and cause coughing
6. Acidic foods can irritate the esophagus and make coughing from acid reflux worse
7. Some over-the-counter cough medications can actually make a dry cough worse
Ans: There is no single “best” fruit for a cough. The best fruit for a cough will depend on the underlying cause of the cough, It also depends on an individual’s health and dietary needs. But some fruits have potential benefits for respiratory health include:
1. Pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain. It has anti-inflammatory properties and may help soothe a cough.
2. Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties. People use it to treat respiratory symptoms including coughing.
3. Citrus fruits are plentiful in vitamin C. It is beneficial for a healthy immune system. This in turn might help relieve coughing.
4. Apples are a decent source of nutrients. It can help boost the immune system and backing respiratory wellbeing.
5. Honey has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. This makes it beneficial as it helps to soothe cough.
Fruits ought to be essential for a balanced diet and not dependent on as the sole treatment for a cough. Further more certain fruits may not be suitable for everyone. Thus, counselling with a specialist or a registered dietitian prior to rolling out any changes to your diet is ideal.
Ans: A dry cough itself may not cause significant damage to the lungs. In any case it tends to be an indication of damaging the lungs whenever left untreated. Some common causes of a dry cough that can damage the lungs if left untreated include:
1. Bronchitis
2. Pneumonia
3. Asthma
4. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD
5. Pulmonary fibrosis
It’s important to look for clinical consideration on the off chance that you experience a persistent dry cough. As this might be a basic indication of an underlying condition that needs treatment. It will help to prevent further harm to the lungs. Your primary care physician can help determine the cause of your cough. They can foster a customized treatment plan to ease side effects and prevent further lung damage.