How to Sleep with a Cough: Tips for a Restful Night

Health Line

27-05-2025

If you experience nighttime coughs, you may want to try increasing the humidity or elevating your head and neck to ease your symptoms. Some OTC medications can also help.
It's late. You'd like to be sound asleep — but every time you begin to drift off, a cough jolts you awake again.
A nighttime cough can be disruptive and frustrating. You need to sleep so you can get the rest you need to fight your illness and function during the day. But your nagging cough won't let you get the elusive sleep you so badly need.
So, what can you do to conquer your cough at night?
In this article, we'll look at some possibilities you may want to consider for different types of coughs, including wet and dry coughs and those ticklish back-of-the-throat ones.
How to calm a wet cough
Wet coughs, which are sometimes called productive coughs, often involve excessive mucus in the chest, throat, and mouth.
Elevate your head and neck
Sleeping flat on your back or on your side can cause mucus to build up in your throat, which can trigger a cough.
To avoid this, stack a couple of pillows or use a wedge to lift your head and neck slightly. Avoid elevating your head too much, as this could lead to neck pain and discomfort.
Try an expectorant
Expectorants thin the mucus in your airways, making it easier to cough up phlegm.
The only Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved expectorant in the United States is guaifenesin, which is marketed under brand names like Mucinex and Robitussin DM.
Drink a warm beverage
A steamy, warm beverage may help soothe a throat that's become irritated from coughing and also loosen up mucus.
Warm water with honey and lemon, herbal teas, and broths are all good options. Be sure to finish drinking any beverage at least an hour before bedtime.
Take a hot shower
Steam from a warm shower may help loosen mucus in your chest and sinuses, clearing your airways.
How to soothe a dry cough
Dry coughs may be related to conditions like GERD, asthma, postnasal drip, ACE inhibitors, and upper respiratory infections.
Less commonly, dry coughs could be caused by whooping cough.
Try a lozenge
Throat lozenges can be found at drugstores and retailers, and they come in an assortment of flavors.
Some lozenges may contain menthol to help open up your sinuses. Some also contain vitamin C or medications that can soothe a sore throat.
Whichever one you try, be sure to finish the lozenge before you lie down so you don't choke on it. Avoid giving lozenges to young children as they can be a choking hazard.
Consider a decongestant
Decongestants can help dry up the postnasal drip that can cause that nagging nighttime cough.
Decongestants are not safe for people who have high blood pressure or children younger than 12.
Look into a cough suppressant
Cough suppressants, which are also known as antitussives, prevent coughing by blocking your cough reflex.
They can be helpful for dry nighttime coughs, as they may stop your cough reflex from being triggered while you sleep.
Drink plenty of fluids
Staying hydrated is especially important when you're feeling under the weather. Drinking fluids throughout the day can help keep your throat lubricated, which can help protect it from irritants and other coughing triggers.
Aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. Just be sure to stop drinking fluids at least an hour before bedtime to avoid bathroom trips during the night.
How to ease a tickly cough
If your cough is caused by allergies or postnasal drip, an itchy or tickly cough may keep you awake.
Use a humidifier
Air that's too dry can irritate your throat and send you into a flurry of coughing.
One word of caution: Be careful not to overdampen the air. Allergens like dust mites and mold can worsen in wet air, and asthma can sometimes be worsened by dampness.
To make sure the humidity level in your sleeping space is at or near the recommended level of 50%, consider using a hygrometer to measure the exact level of moisture in the air.
Keep your bedding clean
The American Academy of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology recommends that you wash your sheets, mattress covers, blankets, and pillowcases in hot water at 130°F (54.4°C) or higher, once a week.
If you're allergic to pet dander or pet saliva, it might be best to get your cuddles during the day and keep pets out of your bedroom at night.
Try an oral antihistamine
Consult with a healthcare professional about whether your cough would respond to an OTC or prescription medication that blocks your body's production of histamines or acetylcholine, both of which stimulate coughing.
Understanding what can cause a cough
A cough can be caused by a wide variety of conditions and circumstances. If you understand the cause of your cough, it may be easier for you to choose an effective remedy.
These conditions and factors are all known to cause coughing:
asthma
allergies
viruses like colds and flu
bacterial infections like pneumonia and bronchitis
postnasal drip
smoking
certain medications, such as ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
cystic fibrosis
whooping cough
If you're not sure why you're coughing, a doctor can order chest X-rays, lab tests, scope tests, or CT scans to find out what's triggering your cough.
Consider getting a whooping cough vaccination, and if you smoke, know that quitting may improve your cough in as little as 8 weeks.
When to consult a doctor or other healthcare professional
In most cases, a cough that's caused by an infection or irritant will usually clear up within a few weeks with home remedies or over-the-counter (OTC) medication.
But there may be times when a cough is more serious. Make an appointment with a healthcare professional if:
your cough lasts longer than 3 weeks
your cough turns from dry to wet
you're coughing up increased amounts of phlegm
you also have a fever, shortness of breath, or vomiting
you're wheezing
your ankles are swollen
you're experiencing unintentional or unexplained weight loss
Seek immediate medical attention if you have a cough and:
have trouble breathing
cough up blood or pink-tinged mucus
have chest pains
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Frequently asked questions
How can I stop coughing at night?
Some short-term remedies for a wet cough may include taking an expectorant, swallowing honey, and drinking a warm beverage before bed. For a dry cough, you can try sucking on a lozenge and taking a decongestant before bed, as well as elevating your head while you sleep. If your cough persists or your symptoms worsen, speak with a doctor. They can diagnose the underlying cause and provide a treatment plan that's right for you.
Some short-term remedies for a wet cough may include taking an expectorant, swallowing honey, and drinking a warm beverage before bed. For a dry cough, you can try sucking on a lozenge and taking a decongestant before bed, as well as elevating your head while you sleep. If your cough persists or your symptoms worsen, speak with a doctor. They can diagnose the underlying cause and provide a treatment plan that's right for you.
What is the best position to sleep in when you have a cold and cough?
Avoid lying flat on your back if you have a cough. This may cause mucus to accumulate in your throat, triggering a cough. Instead, try keeping your head and neck elevated. You can stack some pillows or plush items to create an elevated surface to rest your head and neck on.
Avoid lying flat on your back if you have a cough. This may cause mucus to accumulate in your throat, triggering a cough. Instead, try keeping your head and neck elevated. You can stack some pillows or plush items to create an elevated surface to rest your head and neck on.
Can lying on your stomach help with a cough?
Lying on your stomach with your back end elevated may help drain your lungs, but it's unlikely to relieve a cough. It may actually make the pressure in your sinuses worse.
Lying on your stomach with your back end elevated may help drain your lungs, but it's unlikely to relieve a cough. It may actually make the pressure in your sinuses worse.