Best Medicine To Help You Sleep With A Cough
If you have a cough, it can be difficult to get a good night's sleep. Coughing fits can keep you awake for hours, leaving you tired and irritable the next day. Over-the-counter cough medicines can help to suppress your cough, but not all of them are suitable for use at night. In this article, we will look at the best medicine to help you sleep with a cough.
What Causes Coughing?
Coughing is a reflex action that helps to clear your airways of mucus, dust, and other irritants. It is a natural defense mechanism that is triggered when your airways become irritated. Common causes of coughing include:
- Cold and flu viruses
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Smoking
- Postnasal drip
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
If you have a cough that lasts for more than a week, or if you are experiencing other symptoms such as fever, chest pain, or difficulty breathing, you should see a doctor.
Types of Cough Medicines
There are two main types of cough medicines: expectorants and suppressants.
Expectorants help to loosen mucus in the lungs, making it easier to cough up. They are useful for treating coughs that produce phlegm or mucus. Suppressants, on the other hand, reduce the urge to cough. They are useful for treating dry, non-productive coughs.
Some cough medicines contain a combination of expectorants and suppressants. These are known as combination cough medicines.
Best Medicine to Help You Sleep With a Cough
The best medicine to help you sleep with a cough is a cough suppressant that contains dextromethorphan (DM). DM is a common ingredient in over-the-counter cough medicines such as Robitussin and Delsym.
DM works by reducing the urge to cough, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. It is particularly effective for treating dry, non-productive coughs that keep you awake at night.
It is important to follow the dosage instructions on the label when taking cough medicine. Taking too much can lead to side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and nausea.
Other Remedies for Coughing
In addition to taking cough medicine, there are other remedies that can help to relieve coughing and improve sleep:
- Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated
- Use a humidifier to moisten the air
- Elevate your head with pillows to reduce coughing at night
- Suck on cough drops or hard candy to soothe your throat
If your cough is caused by an underlying condition such as allergies or asthma, it is important to treat the underlying condition in order to reduce coughing.
Conclusion
If you are struggling to sleep due to a cough, taking a cough suppressant that contains DM can be an effective remedy. However, it is important to follow the dosage instructions on the label and to use additional remedies to relieve coughing and improve sleep. If your cough persists for more than a week, or if you are experiencing other symptoms, you should see a doctor.