I cough only at night

I am a regular reader of your column which I enjoy a lot. Although I don’t cough during the day, I will just wake up in the middle of the night and start coughing. Please, what could be the reason for this.

Saheed (by SMS)

Apart from the common cold or chest infection, other reasons for you to be coughing at night are; Asthma, Allergies and Sinusitis, Acid Reflux from the stomach, Iron Deficiency as well as side effects of some common drugs. For Asthma and other allergies, you may need to see your doctor to place you on some anti allergic drugs. Eating an early dinner which should have digested before bedtime is the best solution for the Acid Reflux problem while Iron replacement will take care of Iron Deficiency issue. If you are on any medication, you need to check with your doctor in case there are some which are making you cough at night.