In the evening, in a park in a neighborhood, two parents talk while their children play.
Recently, my little baby always coughs at night, but he is fine during the day, what's going on?One parent asked worriedly.
Oh, my kids have had this before. I'm also wondering, why only at night?Another parent replied, equally confused.
Such conversations are not uncommon in many families. A child's nocturnal cough, especially if they behave normally during the day, is often confusing and worrying for parents. What exactly causes a child's cough at night?
Coughing, a common symptom, is actually a complex and delicate defense mechanism of the body. When the airways are irritated, coughing appears as a natural response to clear these irritants and protect the respiratory system. Analysing the cough can help you understand the root cause of your child's cough at night.
Cough can be divided into two types: dry and wet. A dry cough is usually caused by dryness or irritation of the airways and is not accompanied by phlegm;Whereas, a wet cough is accompanied by phlegm, which is the body's attempt to expel secretions from the respiratory tract.
Dry cough is often associated with environmental factors, such as dry air. Whereas, a wet cough can be a sign of infection, such as a cold or flu. However, both coughs may worsen at night due to decreased air humidity at night and changes in fluid distribution while lying in bed.
It is important to note that a prolonged or recurrent cough may point to a deeper health problem. For example, a persistent, dry cough may be associated with asthma or allergies, while a chronic wet cough may be a sign of pneumonia or bronchitis.
The phenomenon of coughing at night is not uncommon in children, but the reasons behind it can be more complex than you think. What needs to be considered are environmental factors. At night, the temperature drops and the humidity of the air changes, and these subtle environmental differences can trigger your child's respiratory sensitivities, leading to coughing. For example,If the air in your home is too dry, your child may feel discomfort in his or her throat, which can trigger a cough.
Another key factor is the child's body position. The horizontal position of the body during bed rest at night may exacerbate fluid buildup in the airways, especially if your child has a mild cold or sinusitis. In fact, one study showed that the incidence of coughing was nearly 30% higher when lying flat than when sitting upright.
Children's coughing behaviour shows significant differences between day and night, and there are a number of physiological and environmental factors that are of concern. During the day, children are usually more active and have an increased rate of deep breathing, which helps keep the airways clean and reduces the accumulation of phlegm. In contrast, at night, the body is stationary and phlegm tends to accumulate in the throat, causing coughing.
One study found that changes in air temperature and humidity at night have a significant impact on the respiratory system, especially during allergy season. A drop in temperature may cause the airways to constrict, while a decrease in humidity may dry out the airways, both of which may exacerbate cough symptoms. In addition, sleeping in the lying position can make some children more susceptible to acid reflux, which is a common cause of coughing at night.
It's important to note that the difference in day and night cough can also be an early sign of certain health problems. For example, people with asthma often experience an exacerbated cough at night, which contrasts with symptoms during daytime activities. Therefore, if the child coughs frequently at night, parents should consider a more in-depth medical examination.