Breathing Difficulty - Lying Down
Alternate Names : Difficulty Breathing While Lying Down, Orthopnea, Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea, PND, Waking at Night Short of Breath
DefinitionBreathing difficulty while lying down is an abnormal condition in which a person must keep the head elevated (such as by sitting or standing) to be able to breathe deeply or comfortably (orthopnea), or the person awakens suddenly during the night feeling short of breath (paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea).
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Overview & 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 realizes that sleep is more comfortable with lots of pillows under the head or in a propped up position.
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