Are you tired of waking up with a persistent cough every morning? You're not alone. Morning cough is a common problem that affects many people, and it can be caused by various factors. While a morning cough may seem like a minor inconvenience, it could be a sign of an underlying health condition that needs attention. In this article, we'll explore the various morning cough reasons and discuss the causes of early morning cough in detail.

Understanding the reasons behind your morning cough is critical for proper diagnosis and treatment. Some of the common causes of early morning cough include postnasal drip, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, allergies, and smoking. By identifying the specific morning cough reasons in your case, you can take steps to manage your symptoms and improve your overall health.

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Cough is the body's natural defense mechanism that helps expel mucus, microbes, or foreign particles from the respiratory system. Coughs are very common and are usually harmless, but a cough that persists for several weeks or produces bloody or discolored mucus may be a sign of an underlying condition. A cough can occur at any time of the day, but several conditions may specifically cause early morning cough.

Some mucus (phlegm) and fluids build up in the lungs during the night while one is asleep. Upon waking up and becoming active, the accumulated phlegm begins to loosen, triggering a cough. Morning coughs can signify different conditions as well as the seriousness or intensity of the underlying disease, making it important to understand the various morning cough reasons.

Acute Cough vs. Chronic Cough 

Cough can be classified based on the duration and features like how it sounds and feels. It can occur in different forms, such as dry cough and wet cough. Cough can be the only symptom of a disease, or it can occur with other symptoms associated with diseases of the lung, heart, and stomach.

Based on the duration of the cough, it can be acute or chronic. Acute cough refers to a cough that lasts less than a month. A common cold or flu can cause an acute cough. Chronic cough is one that lasts for over eight weeks in adults and four weeks in children. It usually indicates an underlying condition that may require medical attention. Though not a condition by itself, chronic cough can be a symptom that requires a diagnosis of the underlying disease and the right course of treatment.

Recommended Read:  How to Tackle That Niggling Chronic Cough

Underlying Conditions Which Can Cause A Morning Cough 

There are many reasons for a morning cough, and they need not necessarily be a cause for concern. However, if the morning cough persists for long, it can be because of an underlying disease, and one should seek medical attention. Some of the underlying conditions that can cause early morning cough include:

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): This condition is characterized by chronic lung inflammation that causes constriction of the airways, causing difficulty in breathing. The cough is usually worse in the early morning hours and is associated with the production of yellowish mucus. COPD is a serious cause of early morning cough that requires proper management. 

Bronchitis: This condition refers to inflammation of the bronchial tubes, the air passages which carry air to the lungs. Bronchitis causes cough along with mucus production. The cough tends to worsen in the morning because the phlegm and fluids that settle in the lungs overnight get mobilized due to activity in the morning. Bronchitis is a common cause of early morning cough, especially in smokers and people with weakened immune systems. 

Asthma: Asthma is a chronic lung condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways. Coughing is one of the common symptoms in asthmatics that is often worse at night or early in the morning. The cough is usually accompanied by the production of mucus. However, in people with cough-variant asthma, dry cough occurs as a major symptom. Asthma is a significant contributor to morning cough reasons, and proper management is essential to control symptoms. 

Allergy: Cough related to dust mite allergies becomes worse at night and early morning, as dust mites are often concentrated in bedding. People with pollen allergies may also experience morning cough when pollen counts are high in the early hours of the day. Allergies are a common cause of early morning cough, and identifying and managing allergens can help alleviate symptoms. 

Postnasal drip: The body produces excess mucus when sinus problems or allergies occur with upper respiratory tract infections. The excess mucus can drain down into the throat, especially when lying down. This is called postnasal drip and is one of the most common causes of morning cough. Treating the underlying condition can help manage postnasal drip and reduce morning cough. 

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): GERD occurs when stomach acids flow back into the esophagus (food pipe) and irritate its lining. These acids can reach the throat and cause a dry cough when lying down and in the morning. GERD is a significant cause of early morning cough, and lifestyle changes and medications can help manage symptoms. 

Smoking: People who smoke commonly experience a morning cough. When a person stops smoking at night for a couple of hours, the cilia (tiny hairs in the lungs) work to remove the accumulated chemicals or toxins from the lungs. This causes a severe cough in the early morning. Quitting smoking is one of the best ways to reduce morning cough and improve overall lung health.

 Recommended Read:  Violent Coughing: Could It Indicate a Serious Infection?

Conclusion 

Coughs can be an important diagnostic tool for many health conditions. Learning and recognizing the cause of coughs, including morning cough, can help to identify the onset of a medical condition that needs intervention. As morning cough can be seen in several conditions, it is vital to record the duration, type of cough, its features, and any other symptoms that occur along with it. This information will help the doctor provide the most appropriate treatment.

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