When it comes to sleep disruptions, it doesn’t get much worse than the dreaded night cough.

If coughing is keeping you up at night, you’re probably frustrated, fatigued and wondering how to put a stop to it.

Dr. Daniel Landau, a board-certified physician in South Carolina and contributor to The Mesothelioma Center, suffers from a persistent night cough himself. 

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He shared with Fox News Digital some common reasons for the condition.

Reasons for night coughs

Many different factors can contribute to nighttime coughing, experts say.

“Sometimes, the issue is as simple as gravity,” said Landau. “When we are sitting upright, we tend to keep substances within our stomach. As we lie down, acid can work its way up into the esophagus.”

When that happens, the acid can irritate the vocal cords and larynx, leading to coughing. 

“Sometimes, something as simple as sleeping a little more upright or taking acid-blocking medicines can assist with this,” said Landua.

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Post-nasal drip is also more likely to occur at night. 

“During the day, when we’re sitting up and leaning forward, most of the drippings move forward,” the doctor explained. 

“When we lie down, however, it drips into the back of our throats and can cause us to cough at night.”

A particular form of asthma can cause coughing to occur at night, a doctor noted. (iStock)

There is also a form of asthma, known as cough-variant asthma, that tends to emerge more often at night, according to Landua.

“This can be a challenge to diagnose, but treatment for asthma can help,” he said.

Colds and allergies can also contribute to nocturnal coughing.

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While less common, night coughing can be an early sign of certain types of cancers — particularly those that involve the lungs or head and neck area, noted Landua. 

“While we absolutely don’t want people to assume coughing at night means they have cancer, in the right context, this may need to be considered,” he told Fox News Digital.

While less common, night coughing can be an early sign of certain types of cancers — particularly those that involve the lungs or head and neck area. (iStock)

Another cancer that can present itself through a persistent cough is mesothelioma, which involves the tissue that lines the lungs, stomach, heart and other organs.

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“Someone who has a known exposure to asbestos would be much more likely to have mesothelioma compared to someone who hasn’t,” he said. 

“A persistent cough in someone with these sorts of exposures would need to be considered.”

Treating and preventing night coughs

Staying hydrated is key to keeping coughing at bay, as it keeps the airways moist and helps loosen mucus, according to Dr. Raj Dasgupta, chief medical adviser at Sleepopolis in California.

Adding moisture to the air with a humidifier or taking a steamy shower can help loosen mucus and soothe the airways, the doctor added.

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“You can also prop yourself up with extra pillows to elevate your head and help with postnasal drip and acid reflux,” Dasgupta said.

Honey can also help to prevent coughing and ease a sore throat, he noted.

“Over-the-counter remedies like antihistamines or cough suppressants can provide relief, but it’s important to discuss the coughing with your doctor if it’s serious,” Dasgupta advised.

If a nighttime cough persists for longer than three weeks or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms like fever, chest pain or difficulty breathing, it’s definitely time to reach out to your doctor for personalized advice, a doctor advised. (iStock)

To prevent coughing in the first place, he suggested keeping an eye out for what sets it off, such as pet dander or dust bunnies.

“Stay hydrated, keep your sleeping environment tidy and try to manage any allergies,” he added. 

When to seek medical attention

If a nighttime cough persists for longer than three weeks or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms like fever, chest pain or difficulty breathing, “it’s definitely time to reach out to your doctor for personalized advice,” said Dasgupta.

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“Don’t forget regular check-ups with your doctor to make sure there’s nothing more concerning going on that is causing an annoying nighttime cough.”

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World Autism Awareness Day is celebrated on April 2 each year, and 2024 marks the 17th annual celebration.

One in 36 children and 1 in 45 adults in the United States have autism, according to Autism Speaks. 

On April 2, you can mark the occasion by spreading awareness, showing your support by wearing blue and educating yourself about autism.

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Below is more information about World Autism Awareness Day and how you can show your support this year.

1. What is World Autism Awareness Day?
2. Why do we celebrate World Autism Awareness Day?
3. How do people celebrate World Autism Awareness Day?
4. Why is World Autism Awareness Day on April 2?
5. What is the symbol and color for autism?

1. What is World Autism Awareness Day?

World Autism Awareness Day is a day focused on “sharing stories and providing opportunities to increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism, fostering worldwide support,” according to the Autism Speaks website.

The Autism Speaks organization spends the entire month of April sharing stories and helping to increase acceptance of people who live with autism.

2. Why do we celebrate World Autism Awareness Day?

World Autism Awareness Day is celebrated around the globe to spread awareness about autism and those who live with it.

Autism, according to Autism Speaks, “refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication.”

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The day is about learning more about autism and how the conditions and challenges affect individuals.

Many national landmarks across the globe, including the Empire State Building in New York City, light up blue for World Autism Awareness Day. (Noam Galai/Getty Images for Autism Speaks)

3. How do people celebrate World Autism Awareness Day?

There are numerous ways to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day.

You can add to your knowledge of autism by doing a deep dive into its history and building your overall knowledge.

There is a diverse collection of books to read about autism, including those written by people living with the disorder.

Autism Speaks provides a long list of recommended books on their website. Below are a few of their recommendations.

• “The Reason I Jump” by Naoki Higashida
• “Thinking in Pictures: My Life with Autism” by Temple Grandin
• “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” by Mark Haddon
• “In a Different Key: The Story of Autism” by John Donvan and Caren Zucker
• “How to Speak Dolphin” by Ginny Rorby
• “All Birds Have Anxiety” by Kathy Hoopmann
• “Born on a Blue Day” Daniel Tammet

In addition to books, there have been many shows made featuring those with autism and how they live their lives. One example of this is the Netflix reality show “Love on the Spectrum,” which follows people with autism through their dating lives. 

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Another thing that you can do is help spread awareness. You can do this by donating to charities, attending events related to autism, participating in a fundraiser or using your voice to raise awareness yourself. Social media is a powerful way to educate people about a topic. 

Use your platform to share more information on the disorder, how to properly and patiently interact with autistic individuals, support families and more.

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You can also wear blue clothing and accessories, the color associated with autism.

4. Why is World Autism Awareness Day on April 2?

World Autism Awareness Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007, according to NationalToday.com. Since then, it has been celebrated worldwide on April 2.

A puzzle piece is one popular symbol that has been associated with autism. (iStock)

5. What is the symbol and color for autism?

The color associated with autism is blue.

This color is a calming and accepting color, according to the Place for Children with Autism. Autism Speaks has its “Light It Up Blue” campaign each year that encourages people to wear the color to spread awareness about autism.

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The symbol for autism is a puzzle piece. Like the color blue, this symbol was made popular within the autism community by the Autism Speaks organization. 

Although there is no official symbol, the puzzle piece remains the most popular. Other symbols that have become popular through the years are the butterfly and the infinity symbol.

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An invasive bacterial infection is on the rise in the U.S., according to an alert from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Cases of meningococcal disease, mainly caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis, reached 422 last year, the highest annual number of cases reported since 2014, the agency stated in the alert.

So far this year, 143 cases have been reported to the CDC (as of March 25), which is 62 more than the number reported at the same time last year.

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The invasive strain that is causing most of the cases — serogroup Y ST-1466 — primarily affects adults between ages 30 and 60 (65% of cases), the CDC said in its report. Also affected are Black or African American people (63%) and people with HIV (15%), the CDC said.

This strain also appears to have a higher fatality rate than strains from previous years.

Of 94 patients, 17 of them died from the infection, which is a fatality rate of 18%. 

Between 2017 and 2021, the fatality rate was 11%.

The typical fatality rate ranges from 10% to 15%, even with antibiotic treatment, per the CDC.

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One in five survivors can experience long-term disabilities such as deafness, brain damage, limb loss or other nervous system problems.

“I think this is a concern, especially because of the steep rise in cases all of a sudden and because this particular strain has had a higher case fatality than in previous increases of this disease,” Dr. Barbara Bawer, a primary care physician at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, told Fox News Digital.

Symptoms of meningococcal disease

Described by the CDC as a “rare but severe illness,” meningococcal disease most commonly causes symptoms of meningitis, including fever, stiff neck, headache, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light or altered mental status.

Meningococcal disease most commonly causes symptoms of meningitis, including fever, stiff neck, headache, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light or altered mental status. (iStock)

It can also cause meningococcal bloodstream infection, which is marked by fever and chills, vomiting, fatigue, vomiting, cold hands and feet, severe aches and pains, diarrhea, rapid breathing or a dark purple rash, the CDC notes. 

Transmission and treatment

Meningitis infections can spread though close contact with someone who has meningococcal disease, Bawer noted — “generally, through things like coughing or kissing, but it can also spread by being in the same household or room for extended periods of time with an individual who is infected.”

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Those who have symptoms of the disease should see their primary care physician immediately, according to the doctor.

As symptoms tend to progress quickly and can be life-threatening, it is essential that the patient receives antibiotics immediately.

“It can become fatal or dangerous within hours for any individual.”

“It can become fatal or dangerous very quickly — within hours — for any individual, especially if antibiotics are not initiated in a timely manner,” Bawer warned. “Even with antibiotics, meningitis can be fatal.”

She added, “This is often due to misdiagnosis, because meningitis can mimic many other illnesses.”

Infection prevention

Most cases of meningococcal disease worldwide are caused by six variations of the Neisseria meningitidis bacteria — A, B, C, W, X and Y.

In the U.S., the most common variations are B, C, W and Y.

There are vaccines available to protect against types A, C, W and Y (the MenACWY vaccine) and type B (MenB vaccine), according to the CDC.

Those who have symptoms of meningococcal disease should see their primary care physician immediately, doctors advise. (iStock)

“MenACWY vaccines are routinely recommended for adolescents and for people with other risk factors or underlying medical conditions, including HIV,” the CDC stated in the alert.

To reduce risk, Bawer recommends that people get vaccinated with the current meningitis vaccine as recommended by the CDC and avoid being in very closed-in spaces with others as much as possible. 

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“If you know of someone who has meningitis in your household or you’ve come in contact with their oral secretions (i.e., you kissed them), then you should get preventative antibiotics,” the doctor told Fox News Digital. 

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This is even more important for those who are immune-compromised or who are on medications that decrease the immune system, Bawer added.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Monday that a person in Texas has tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza, otherwise known as H5N1 bird flu.

“This person had exposure to dairy cattle in Texas presumed to be infected with HPAI A(H5N1) viruses. The patient reported eye redness (consistent with conjunctivitis), as their only symptom, and is recovering,” the CDC said in a statement. “The patient was told to isolate and is being treated with an antiviral drug for flu.”

The CDC said this is the second case of a human testing positive for H5N1 in the United States, after a previous case was observed in Colorado in 2022.

“This infection does not change the H5N1 bird flu human health risk assessment for the U.S. general public, which CDC considers to be low,” it added. “However, people with close or prolonged, unprotected exposures to infected birds or other animals (including livestock), or to environments contaminated by infected birds or other animals, are at greater risk of infection.”

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Last week, dairy cows in Texas and Kansas were reported to be infected with bird flu – and federal agriculture officials later confirmed infections in a Michigan dairy herd that had recently received cows from Texas.

This bird flu was first identified as a threat to people during a 1997 outbreak in Hong Kong, according to the Associated Press. More than 460 people have died in the past two decades from bird flu infections, the World Health Organization says.

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Eggs are cleaned and disinfected at the Sunrise Farms processing plant in Petaluma, California, on Jan. 11, 2024, which had seen an outbreak of avian flu.  (AP/Terry Chea)

Texas officials did not identify the newly infected person, nor release any details about what brought them in contact with the cows.

The CDC said it is “working with state health departments to continue to monitor workers who may have been in contact with infected or potentially infected birds/animals and test those people who develop symptoms.” 

A researcher wears a protective suit while collecting samples of wildlife, where the H5N1 bird flu virus was detected, at Chilean Antarctic territory in Antarctica, in this undated handout photo obtained by Reuters on March 13. (Reuters/Instituto Antartico Chileno)

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“Human illnesses with H5N1 bird flu have ranged from mild (e.g., eye infection, upper respiratory symptoms) to severe illness (e.g., pneumonia) that have resulted in death in other countries,” the CDC also said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.