How to Calm Your Nighttime Cough

A cough that wakes you up at night should go away in about:
7 days
18 days
30 days
A cough that wakes you up at night should go away in about:
You probably think a cough should clear up in a little over a week. But an ordinary cough -- one that isn’t caused by a more serious illness -- will stick around for about 18 days.

Most coughs are caused by:
Viruses
Bacteria
Allergies
Most coughs are caused by:
This means antibiotics won’t help you get rid of the cough -- they only treat bacteria. Other remedies can help you feel better while you wait for it to run its course. But no “cures” can make the cough go away.

To ease your cough before bedtime, suck on a:
Cough drop
Hard candy
Either
To ease your cough before bedtime, suck on a:
Drugstore shelves are filled with countless flavors and brands of cough drops and lozenges. They all soothe a cough. Even hard candy can stop that tickle in the back of your throat.

You’ll get a better night’s sleep if you treat your cough with:
Cough medicine
Honey
Both
You’ll get a better night’s sleep if you treat your cough with:
Either one can help calm your nighttime cough and make it easier for you get a peaceful night’s sleep. Adults may try taking 2 teaspoons of honey at bedtime. Don’t give honey to babies younger than 1.

For a stubborn nighttime cough, try a combination cold medicine.
True
False
For a stubborn nighttime cough, try a combination cold medicine.
These products have more than one kind of medicine in them. This raises the chances of taking too much or having side effects. Kids under 4 shouldn’t take any cold medicine. Ask your doctor first if your child is 4 to 6 years old.

Most coughs go away on their own, but call your doctor if:
You make a high-pitched sound when you breathe in.
You make a wheezing sound when you breathe out.
Either
Most coughs go away on their own, but call your doctor if:
Noisy breathing can be a symptom of bronchitis, asthma, or another problem that a doctor should check. Call them if you have trouble breathing or cough up blood. If your baby has a cough that worries you, call their doctor.

What can help a nighttime cough?
Echinacea
Vapor rub
Either
What can help a nighttime cough?
Known for its powerful smell, vapor rub can ease a nighttime cough. Spread it on your chest and neck at bedtime. Don’t use it on a child under 2. Although many people swear by echinacea for colds and cough, studies are mixed on whether it works.

Always call the doctor if your cough lasts more than:
10 days
3 weeks
8 weeks
Always call the doctor if your cough lasts more than:
In adults, a cough that lasts more than 8 weeks is reason to see the doctor. Most go away on their own before that. But if you have other symptoms like weight loss, shortness of breath, coughing up blood -- or if you smoke -- call the doctor sooner.

A cough that brings up yellow-green mucus means you have a sinus infection.
True
False
A cough that brings up yellow-green mucus means you have a sinus infection.
This gunk isn’t pretty, but it’s part of the normal course of a cold. This mucus is thicker and harder for your sinuses to drain, so you may feel pressure in your face. That still doesn’t mean you have a sinus infection or need antibiotics. If it lasts for more than 10 days, call your doctor.

Your cough may be caused by heartburn.
True
False
Your cough may be caused by heartburn.
Heartburn can cause a long-lasting cough in both adults and kids. The acid that comes with it irritates nerves and triggers your cough reflex. Stay away from alcohol and food 2-3 hours before bed. Sleep with your head raised a few inches.

To fend off a coughing fit, you should sleep:
On your back
On your side
Propped up
To fend off a coughing fit, you should sleep:
Go ahead and hog that extra pillow or two. Sleeping with your head raised keeps mucus from pooling in the back of your throat. It also keeps acid from traveling up from your stomach and then down into your lungs.

A humidifier can soothe your nagging hack.
True
False
A humidifier can soothe your nagging hack.
Dry air can irritate your throat. A humidifier adds moisture to the air and wets your airways, making it easier to breathe. But don’t crank it up to full blast. You want to keep the humidity between 40% and 50%. Too much water in the air has the opposite effect. Clean your unit regularly so you don’t inhale germs. Use distilled water if you can It puts less gunk into the air than tap water.

An antihistamine can quiet that tickle in your throat.
True
False
Sometimes
An antihistamine can quiet that tickle in your throat.
Some reduce the amount of mucus you make and widen your airways. That cuts congestion and makes it easier to breathe. That’s why you often find antihistamines in cough and cold medicines. Products made for nighttime use make you drowsy, so they work best. Just note that this drug won’t help a cough caused by smoking, emphysema, pneumonia, asthma, or chronic bronchitis.

When your cough wakes you up, you should:
Drink a glass of milk
Sip green tea
When your cough wakes you up, you should:
People have long blamed milk for creating more mucus. But no science proves that. Still, many say that the drink's thick texture coats your throat and makes the gunk thicker and harder to swallow, which can trigger a cough. Hot, green tea is the better choice. It has soothed sore throats for centuries. Plus, research shows that it’s packed with antioxidants and can boost your immune system.

Cough it up. But is it OK if you swallow it?
Yes
No
Cough it up. But is it OK if you swallow it?
There’s no harm in swallowing mucus. You do it without thinking about it all the time. It’s just a protein that your stomach will digest. And it won’t come back up again. You can spit it out if you want, but that’s certainly not the polite thing to do in public.