Bronchitis Sleeping Tips

When you are struggling with bronchitis and you are coughing nonstop, it may be hard for you to fall asleep and remain asleep all night long.

You might look for anything you can do to make it stop, and you should know that there are some things you can do to make sleeping while struggling with bronchitis a little easier.

Here are some tips that can help you ease the symptoms of bronchitis and get through the nights.

Drink Hot Tea With Honey

A hot herbal tea with honey right before time will relax you and break up mucus in your airways. It will help you breathe easier and lessen irritation in your throat and lungs caused by bronchitis.

Breathe in Hot Steam

Dry airways can only make your cough worse. That’s why you may find relief from taking a bath or shower or just sitting in a steamy bathroom right before bed.

You can also steam your face over a bowl or pot of hot water. Make sure, however, that the water is not too hot as this can irritate the lining in your nasal passages.

Put a clean towel over your head and lean over the pot. Do this in a way that will allow you to create a tent with the towel that will keep the steam and allow you to breathe it in.

Breathe in the vapors for some 10 to 15 minutes and you will feel the difference. This will help loosen the mucus in your lungs and airways and allow it to move out of your body faster.

Use a Humidifier

Bronchitis affects your upper respiratory system and puts a lot of stress on your lungs and throat. A humidifier can help your throat and lungs to relax and allow you to breathe easier.

If you don’t have one, you can easily purchase it online or at a local drug store and it will add moisture to the air you are breathing overnight. Make sure to clean it regularly so that mold and mildew can’t appear because of the sitting water.

Be careful, however, because too much moisture in the air can worsen your cough, and mold and dust mites are also known to thrive in damp air. Try to keep the humidity levels at 40% to 50%.

Get Rid of Irritants

When you are struggling with bronchitis, it is important to remove anything that can irritate you from your home, especially from your bedroom.

Try to keep your pets out of your bedroom because their dander can make you feel worse and aggravate your cough. Also, avoid using any scented candles, perfumes and other similar products that might irritate your respiratory system.

Avoid Things That Irritate and Bother Your Lungs

If you are a smoker, try to avoid smoking while you are fighting with bronchitis. Also, avoid spending too much time in closed rooms full of smoke, dust, chemical fumes, etc.

If you can’t stay away from irritating substances because you work around them, wear a mask and open windows to let the fresh air in when possible.

Keep Your Bedding Clean

If you are prone to allergies, try to keep your bedding clean as much as possible and change it each week. Dust mites that live in beds and that feed on dead human skin can trigger allergies and worsen your cough.

When washing your bedding regularly, you reduce their number and the possibility of them triggering your allergies.

Prepare Everything You May Need during the Night

In case you start coughing during the night, you should have everything that may help you such as a glass of water, medicines, or anything else by your bed.

Sleep on an Incline

When sleeping on a flat surface all the mucus you swallow during the day and postnasal drainage backs up and irritates your throat. To prevent this, try to prop yourself up by adding some pillows.

If you have an adjustable bed, you can also raise it a bit and then you won’t have to add too much pillows.

This may also be helpful to you if you are suffering from acid reflux as the adjustable bed will raise your mattress and help you keep your stomach acids from irritating your throat.

Consider Taking Medicines

Over-the-counter cough medicines can loosen your mucus, block the cough reflex and reduce your urge to cough. Make sure to get the right medicine for your cough. If you are not sure what to take, ask your pharmacist for advice.

But if your cough lasts for longer than 7 days and nothing seems to help, then it may be time for you to check in with your doctor.