Few things are more annoying than not being able to fall asleep because of a persistent cough. Drinking liters of water and tea with honey doesn’t seem to help, but what does? In any case, your sleeping position can provide a lot of relief.
Coughing at night
Coughing is in most cases – apart from medical problems such as asthma – our body’s natural protection against bacteria and viruses. We cough out these harmful substances in the form of mucus. Although it is precisely a healthy reaction of our body, it can be experienced as very annoying and tiring. Especially when the night’s sleep suffers, coughing is anything but pleasant. Fortunately, adopting an alternate sleeping position seems to bring a lot of relief.
According to Dr. Michael Breus van The sleep doctor easy to explain. As soon as we lie flat, mucus forms in the throat more quickly. Dry air or unconscious or unconscious allergies also make a difference in bed. The last two cannot be solved with a different attitude, the first one can.
Best sleeping position for cough
According to Breus, the secret to a better night’s sleep is keeping your head high. In this way, mucus is less likely to get clogged in the throat and the trachea is freed for easier breathing. Because sleeping in a sitting position is a pleasant position for few people, he advises placing several pillows under the head. You sleep in a lying position just like normal, but your head is a lot higher than the rest of your body. Dr. Nilong Vyas Van The sleep foundation agrees with this statement, but has an important caveat. While this position is fine for adults, it is strongly discouraged for young children. This sleeping position can lead to several health problems for them, she warns, with gastroesophageal reflux (heartburn in the esophagus) being the most common.
Could you use a better night’s sleep? In this video you will discover 5 tips to be able to sleep after a stressful day.
Bron: Sleep foundation, Healthline, the sleep doctor
