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Breathing difficulty - lying down

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Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Breathing
Breathing

Alternative Names    Return to top

Waking at night short of breath; Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea; PND; Difficulty breathing while lying down; Orthopnea

Definition    Return to top

Breathing difficulty while lying down is an abnormal condition. A person with this condition must keep the head elevated (by sitting or standing) to be able to breathe deeply or comfortably. The condition may also cause a person to wake up suddenly during the night, feeling short of breath (paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea).

Considerations    Return to top

For people with some types of heart or lung problems, this is a common complaint. Sometimes the problem is subtle and is only noticed when the person realizes that sleep is more comfortable with lots of pillows under the head, or in a propped-up position.

Causes    Return to top

Home Care    Return to top

Your health care provider may prescribe treatment to treat breathing difficulty while lying down. The treatment will depend on the specific illness causing the problem.

Weight reduction is generally recommended in cases of obesity.

When to Contact a Medical Professional    Return to top

If you have any unexplained difficulty in breathing while lying down, call for an appointment with your health care provider.

What to Expect at Your Office Visit    Return to top

The health care provider will perform a physical examination and will obtain your medical history.

Medical history questions documenting nocturnal dyspnea include the following:

The physical examination will include special attention to the heart and lungs (cardiovascular and respiratory systems).

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include the following:

Supplemental oxygen may be given.

Update Date: 1/18/2007

Updated by: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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