Why are cold symptoms worse at night? - Harvard Health (2024)

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Why are cold symptoms worse at night? - Harvard Health? ›

The circadian rhythm — our 24-hour internal clock — signals immune cells to become more active at night. When these cells pinpoint germs, they fight them off by creating inflammation, which makes respiratory symptoms worse.

When you lie flat in bed, though, all of that mucus can collect in your head and exacerbate a cough, stuffy nose, or post-nasal drip (when snot accumulates in the back of your throat). “People will feel worse at night because you're removing the effect of gravity that was helping you throughout the day,” says Dr.

Cortisol is closely linked to your immune system function. Cortisol is higher during the day, and these higher levels suppress your immune activity to a large degree. When cortisol levels go down at night, your immune system is more active in fighting illness or infection. This is why fevers spike at night.

More cortisol circulates in your blood during the day, which suppresses your immune system. This means that your white blood cells, which are responsible for fighting infections, are less active during the day. At night, there is less cortisol in your blood.

This nighttime spike in immune system activity and inflammation can also bleed into the morning hours, he says. So if, despite your symptoms, you're able to sleep through the night, you may find that you feel worse first thing in the morning when you wake up.

The bottom line. Nausea at night is usually a symptom of an underlying condition. Some of the most common causes include acid reflux, anxiety, medication side effects, peptic ulcers, or pregnancy. Nausea at night is usually treatable, either with self-care remedies or by a doctor.

A tickle in the throat and cough at night may be due to irritants in the room. This can worsen in rooms with wall-to-wall carpets and lots of soft furnishings. Dry air can also irritate the throat, but using a humidifier may help. Learn more about the causes of a tickle in the throat.

Don't be tempted to overheat the room because you have a cold. Keep the temperature at a comfortable level (69F – 72F) and bundle up with blankets that can be shoved off if you begin to overheat. The humidity in the room is important too. Dry air can worsen your cold symptoms and parch your nose and throat.

Sinus pressure gets better when your head is higher than your body, so let gravity work for you. When you lie down, postnasal drip can build up, making your throat sore and triggering a cough. Make a wedge with a few pillows to prop yourself up in bed.

How do you stop a cold from getting worse overnight? ›