The NHS has issued a warning to people suffering from a persistent cough, a common symptom of Covid-19, advising them to avoid lying on their back. Instead, the health service recommends sleeping on your side or sitting upright.
Lying flat on your back can worsen a cough by allowing mucus to collect at the back of the throat, a condition known as postnasal drip. Dr Elizabeth Rainbolt, speaking to the Cleveland Clinic, explained that elevating your head with extra pillows or raising the head of the bed can help reduce irritation.
The NHS defines a continuous cough as coughing frequently for more than an hour, or experiencing three or more coughing episodes within 24 hours. For those with a dry cough, sleeping on your side rather than your back can help reduce irritation.
In addition to sleeping advice, the NHS recommends staying at home and avoiding contact with others if you feel unwell. Most people recover from Covid within days or weeks without medical treatment, but rest is crucial. If you have a persistent cough, you can ask a pharmacist about treatments.
Other common Covid symptoms include a high temperature, loss of taste or smell, and breathlessness. The NHS notes that while treating Covid is not always possible, there are steps you can take to ease symptoms.
