I've had a cold for a few days, and I'm starting to feel better, but my cough seems to be exasperated when I sleep or lie down. Why is this, and would sleeping elevated help me at all?
2007-03-13 08:48:46 · 7 answers · asked by ? 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Respiratory Diseases
laying down affects your throat & your breathing, you're going to cough more, elevating your head should help some
2007-03-13 08:52:52 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You have orthopnea, which means "difficulty breathing when lying down". This is because secretions are sitting at the bottom of the lungs when you're upright (thanks, gravity!) and when you lie down, that mucus spreads out all over.
Sleeping with your head and shoulders propped up on a few pillows may help. In the hospital they'd tilt the head of your bed up to 30 degrees.
I'd say just take a steamy shower before bed, bang on your chest, try coughing a lot before you go to sleep, and take a cough suppressant.
Have fun!
2007-03-13 08:56:45 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
elevation should help you but cough suppressant and a glass of water by your bed should be helpful too. This is probably because when you lie down your heart rate drops(not a bad thing) and rests your boy which makes you need to couch more.
2007-03-13 13:24:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, sleeping elevated would help you sleep better. Your cough gets worse when you lay down because of the congestion in your chest probably. When you are in an upright position the mucuos is further from your bronchial tubes and the mucouc that is draining from your sinuses are draining straight down your throat. When you lie down, the mucous is closer to your bronchil tubes and also the drainage from your sinuses can cause you to feel it more when lying down which has a tendency to cause people to cough.
2007-03-13 08:54:46 · answer #4 · answered by Dana O 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It may help to elevated however, I don't think your position is the issue. It could be but I doubt it. Allergies and asthma can get worse at night. This is because your body slows down for rest. When you body is not working as fast, it can't respond to allergens like it can during the day. Ask your doctor about night time allergies and asthma.
2007-03-13 10:27:35 · answer #5 · answered by Matt A 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
every time my son has a chilly he's like yours, no cough in the process the day yet at nighttime u can not hardly sleep using fact your listening to him. Get some vicks, positioned on his chest - purely a tiny bit - and then purchase a chilly AIR Humidifier, no longer a heat one. For some reason the chilly one works extra appropriate and the dr. has recomended it everytime for my son. Works like a attraction. If it keeps up inspite of the indisputable fact that perhaps he ought to pass to the dr.
2016-09-30 21:11:30 · answer #6 · answered by riopel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when we sleep are body is still and the phlem builds up in our lungs,,,when were awake our body is upright so it doesn;t stock up in the lungs...use a couple of pillows to elevate yourself,it does work....good-luck
2007-03-13 08:54:45 · answer #7 · answered by Cami lives 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋