It’s two in the morning and you are deep into slumber sleep. Out of nowhere, a dry-itchy tickle in your throat jolts you at once. The next couple of minutes are spent coughing various types of, nothing particular, just reaching to water for some reason. Does this ring a bell? In many people, these cough attacks at night are suffered more often than one would like and each bout leaves the patient more tired and annoyed than before.Coughing is a natural reflex mechanism of the body aimed at removal of any foreign bodies or irritants from the respiratory tract, but this especially becomes a problem when it occurs in the most inappropriate times, like in the middle of a meeting or in the dead of the night. Coughing is something that everyone experiences bases on the notion that no one is dumb enough to think that we are immune to choking. But in as much as it is sounding as though I am moaning about it in the just becoming an irritation, it goes beyond that to be a headache because it more often than not is a sign of either primary ailments or ailments occurring secondarily.Most frequent causesAcute cough is defined as a cough with recent onset lasting less than three weeks allowing for the possibility of diagnosis to be made clinically and in most cases within the first visit for the clnic. Some of these cough attacks last for a matter of days or weeks but would resolve with treatment.Both these upper respiratory viral infections such as the common cold and influenza are very identifiable and acceptable reasons. Their inside irritate their air ways and the result is a never ending cough. Even though these other symptoms may have subsided with the arm pain and general body temperature, the cough may still be present.One other respiratory disease, COVID, engenders cough among other symptoms such as fever and breathlessness. Prolonged dry cough is frequently one of the primary markers that the patient has a COVID pneumonia condition.Pneumonia is a more severe infection that may accompany colored, thick mucus due to coughing. Such should be treated early in the hospital to prevent other complications.Allergies will trigger acute coughing attacks. During such attacks, your body rapidly responds to the presence of allergens like pollen, dust, or pet dander. During such attacks, you may exhibit symptoms, which include sneezing, running eyes, and coughing. Antihistamines will alleviate these symptoms by inhibiting the histamine response from humans' body.For example, a Lower Respiratory Infections, such as sinusitis, may lead to itchy cough that gradually gets worse at night. Postnasal drip irritates the throat in instances where the sinuses are infected and swollen causing coughing, especially when lying down.When Cough Won't Go Away: What it Means?It takes more than eight weeks in chronic coughing. It can be a symptom of an underlying health condition.1. AsthmaAsthma causes coughing with a chronic chronic, dry aspect that occurs typically at night or during the early morning. Attacks are commonly caused by cold air, as well as allergens, which can make breathing difficult. Its other common symptoms involve wheezing and breathlessness.2. Acid Reflux (GERD)GERD causes coughing after a meal or during the night, for example, as stomach acid irritates the esophagus. This causes a reaction that pushes patients into uncontrollable coughing.3. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)COPD, such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema, is a set of diseases in which the airflow is obstructed and breathing becomes difficult. Among the most common symptoms is chronic cough often coupled with sputum production.Less Common Causes of CoughingWhile infections, allergies, and chronic conditions are the most common causes of coughing, some others that also cause this symptom include aspiration, when a person inhales foreign objects, lung cancer, or pulmonary fibrosis, which is a disease wherein the lungs are scoured or scarred. If your cough has lingered for several weeks or accompanies related conditions like chest pain or shortness of breath, consult your healthcare provider.You can cure a cough fit at night by following these useful techniques at home:Waking up in the dead of night is very untimely with a coughing fit. Fortunately, there are many home remedies you can use to keep your nighttime cough at bay and sleep better.1. Stay Hydrated: Drinking water during the day ensures that your throat and airways remain constantly moisturized and not easily irritated. When you wake up in the middle of the night having a cough, take small sips of warm water to ease the discomfort in your throat.2. Honey: Besides being a good cough suppressor, honey also has antimicrobial properties that tend to coat your throat. A spoonful of honey before bedtime or added to warm tea would be a good idea.3. Steam Inhalation: Steam inhalation relaxes your airways and loosens phlegm. Try taking a hot shower or bending over a bowl of steaming water with a towel over your head to breathe in the vapour.4. Head of Bed Elevation: Postnasal drip makes a cough worse if you are lying flat in bed. Lying with your head elevated on two pillows helps reduce drainage and keeps your airways open.5. Humidifier: Dry air irritates the mucous membranes in the throat and airways, making coughing worse. Using a humidifier in the bedroom can add moisture to the air, so the throat doesn't get dry from the air's dryness and minimizes nighttime coughing.6. Saltwater Gargling: Many times, gargling with saltwater will loosen mucus and decrease swelling in the throat. Try gargling before bedtime to calm irritation to your throat.7. Cough Drops: At times, sucking on a cough drop prior to sleep will calm your throat and sometimes allow this to be enough to inhibit the reflex cough in order to fall back asleep again.When to Go to the Doctor?Most coughs can be treated at home, but one needs to know when the situation is such that it's time to see a doctor. When such symptoms last more than 10-14 days or are accompanied by breathlessness, chest pain, or blood, then it's time to see a doctor. The persistent cough of an infant or young child must also be looked into by a doctor since symptoms escalate quickly in them.Coughing is part of the body's process to clear out one's airways, but when it becomes incessant or uncontrollable, it does major damage to one's quality of life. Be it an infection, allergic reaction, or chronic condition, there are ways to control it, especially those late-night cough attacks. If there is a persistent cough, consult a physician to find out the cause and begin the appropriate course of action.