Dry cough at night: what should you know?

Lying down can let mucus from an inflamed nose irritate the throat. Acid Reflux may also reach the throat and trigger a dry cough, sometimes with a sour taste, hoarseness or burning. Bedroom dust, dry air, smoke and fragrances can irritate sensitive airways.

Asthma may cause cough, chest tightness or wheeze that varies overnight. A Common Cold or Acute Bronchitis can leave an irritable cough after other symptoms begin to improve. Bronchiolitis is mainly a concern in babies and young children, while Bronchiectasis and Chronic Cough need clinician assessment when symptoms are ongoing or recurrent.

Keep the sleeping area free from smoke and strong scents, drink fluids, and consider whether dust, pets or dry air correlate with the cough. If reflux seems possible, avoid lying down immediately after eating and discuss recurring symptoms with a clinician rather than relying on repeated self-treatment.

Write down when the cough starts, whether it follows meals, and any wheeze, breathlessness, fever or nasal symptoms. Do not start, stop or share prescription inhalers without advice.

Seek emergency help for severe breathing difficulty, blue or grey lips, confusion, collapse or chest pain that is severe or sudden. Arrange a prompt appointment for coughing that repeatedly wakes you, blood in sputum, unexplained weight loss, fever that persists, or a cough that continues or keeps returning.

Ask whether your timing and associated symptoms fit Acid Reflux, Allergic Rhinitis, Asthma, infection or another airway condition, and whether you need an examination or breathing assessment.