Calling all medical professionals... dry cough worse at night

[Jen1978]

can someone in the know please tell me why on earth a dry cough gets so much worse at night / as soon as you lie down. I have tried googling for the answer but can't find anything! i have a terrible dry cough (just gotten over a cold) and it is driving me mad at night, every breath itches my lungs and I have an uncontrollable urge to cough!! Had to sleep propped up last night but it wasn't ideal and the coughing drove me mad!!

Although a dry cough at night can be a sign of more serious complaints such as heart failure & asthma ( or side effects of many drugs)since you have had a cold it is probably due to post-nasal drip as it is worse when lying down . the tiny drops of mucous irritate your throat which does its job by repelling them by coughing . also due to your virus , your bronchioles ( tubes to lungs ) are more sensitive and react to any stimulous such as air!!! If it doesn't go fairly soon please go and get checked by a dr but these symptons can go on for weeks sorry . You could try the various NIGHT time cough remedies from a Pharmacy ,the ones that are Pharmacy only are stronger , ask to speak to the Pharmacist especially if you are on any other medications or have medical conditions. Pholcodine may be suitable also . Hope this helps Clare a Pharmacist !!! search with question in Jeeves search engine -some interesting answers not necessarily medically correct !!!!

could it be acid reflux? I get this at night and cough. I have to sleep upright, it's a nighmare.

asthma?

asthma?

or could be a nasel drip thingy, you could try a simple anti histimie which will dry your nose up.

but i hate the feeling whn i am take them, i get very woozey.