Coughing in the middle of the night

[Rowantree1]

Has anyone else started coughing in the middle of the night since starting running, and does anyone have any remedies please?

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

Starting to run can expose lots of underlying health conditions, but I have never heard of a situation like yours. It might be exposure to pollens or pollution.

Does it happen every night or just after running. It may have nothing directly to do with the running, but if it persists and worries you, then get advice from your GP.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

and includes advice on minimising impact, stretching after every run, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.

Enjoy your journey.

[Rowantree1 in reply to IannodaTruffe]

It's an old problem, when I've tried to get a regular running practice going before, I get chest problems. It's every night, but it only gets bad enough to wake me up in the middle of the night whenever I've been undergoing a regular running practice. I think it's simply catarrh (which I suffer with anyway), and over production of mucus caused by exercise. I've spoken to a Dr recently and he says it's just that running causes one's nose to run. Unfortunately it's obviously very disruptive to me (and my husband), to be woken up at 2:30am by coughing.

[Rowantree1 in reply to Rowantree1]

P.S., I've just finished Run 2 of Week 8, so I've nearly finished the app. I've got a serious running addiction though, so I want to keep going after I've done Week 9.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Rowantree1]

How is your general hydration?

As a runner you need to intake a minimum of 2.5 -3 litres of fluid each and every day, running or not, as mentioned in the guide. This might loosen up the mucous.

[Rowantree1 in reply to IannodaTruffe]

I'm not drinking anywhere like that much - I will try drinking more and see if that helps. Many thanks! 🙂

[nowster Graduate in reply to Rowantree1]

I'm not sure about the 3 litres bit unless you've run for a couple of hours. Certainly getting in over 2 litres of fluid a day is what I ensure I do, but spread evenly over the whole day.

The rest of the fluid is likely to be already in your food, unless you're a dog and your diet consists of kibble. I do count tea and coffee towards the total.

The best indicator of hydration is the colour of your pee. If it looks as dark as Vimto you're definitely not drinking enough. Ideally it should be pale but just slightly coloured. Taking in any more fluid than that is just going to increase the number of loo visits you need.

If you've sweat a lot during a run you will need extra fluid. I'd also suggest a packet of ready salted crisps alongside a drink in that situation, to replace the salt lost in sweat.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Rowantree1]

This FAQ post about hydration gives more information healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[Rennur Graduate]

Has the Doctor suggested an inhaler if only for a short time?

[Rowantree1 in reply to Rennur]

Many years ago I went to the Dr because of a cough in the morning, and he asked me to do the breath test to see how strong my breath was (to check for asthma), but this proved negative. He prescribed an nasal spray but it didn’t work very well.