Breathing difficulty

For a complete list of hospital classes and events, click here to connect to HealthConnection Online

Medical Encyclopedia

Encyclopedia -> Symptoms -> B -> Breathing difficulty - lying down

Breathing difficulty - lying down

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

Considerations: 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 realized that sleep is more comfortable with lots of pillows under the head or in a propped up position.

Common Causes:

heart failure
panic disorder
hypertensive heart disease
obesity (does not directly cause difficult breathing while lying down, but it often aggravates other conditions)
sleep apnea
snoring
cor pulmonale

Home Care: Follow the doctor’s prescribed therapy. Some temporary relief may be provided by leaning over a table with the chest forward. Weight reduction, in cases of obesity, is recommended.

Call If:

there is any unexplained difficulty in breathing while lying down.

What To Expect: The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination will be performed.

Medical history questions documenting nocturnal dyspnea include:

time pattern
- Did this develop suddenly?
- Has it been developing slowly?
- Is it slowly getting worse (progressive)?
quality
- How bad is it?
- How many pillows are required to breathe comfortably?
aggravating factors
- Is there any ankle, feet, and leg swelling?
- Does the person have difficulty breathing at other times?
- How tall is the person? How much do they weigh?
other
- What other symptoms are also present?

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

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

Supplemental oxygen may be administered.

After seeing your health care provider:
If a diagnosis was made by your health care provider related to breathing difficulty when lying down, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record.

Disclaimer: The text presented on these pages is for your information only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. It may not represent your true individual medical situation. Do not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting a qualified health care provider. Please consult your health care provider if you have any questions or concerns.

Copyright © 1999-2001 Medical Network Inc. All rights reserved. No part of the contents of this web site may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the written permission of the publisher. "HealthAtoZ.com" should be prominently displayed on any material reproduced with the publisher's consent.