Discover what orthopnea is, aka, shortness of breath while lying down.
Learn the causes, symptoms, and treatment options according to docs.
Yourhead hits the pillow, and suddenly, youcant take deep breaths.
If this scenario describes your nightly routine, you could be dealing with something called orthopnea.
And while this may sound like anxiety (who hasnt hadracing thoughts at night?
), orthopnea is often a separate issue that points to an underlying health condition.
pulmonologist and director of theTobacco Treatment Clinic at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
This is especially true if it comes with other symptoms that feel different than a bout of stress.
This is because heart failure can cause excess fluid to accumulate around your lungsleading to breathing issues.
Over time, heart failure can also weaken your heart muscle.
If you have other heart-related symptoms with orthopnea, talk to your doctor to evaluate your heart failure risk.
Like with heart failure, treatment for PH depends on how severe the condition has become.
Conservative treatments involve limiting salt in your diet and getting regular exercise.
In more serious cases, a person may need oxygen therapy or surgery.
PH is also often diagnosed through echocardiograms, X-rays, and/or certain blood tests, per the Cleveland Clinic.
COPD has various stages and each one will likely require a different level of care.
pulmonologist and director of theTobacco Treatment Clinic at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
You may especially feel this when you are lying down, as pressure builds on your chest.
Reducing your chances of orthopnea may involve maintaining a healthy weight for your body size.
You and your doctor can discuss different weight-loss goals or whether weight loss is right for you.
Lifestyle adjustments like eating nutrient-dense foods and getting daily exercise can be helpful.
In some cases, people may benefit from taking certain medications or surgery.
You have a case of severe pneumonia
A strong case of pneumonia can trigger orthopnea.
Its typically resulting from a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection in your lungs.
If your pneumonia is triggered by bacteria, your doctor will prescribe a course of antibiotics.
and plenty of rest.
Diaphragm paralysis is often treated with supplemental oxygen or a ventilator if you cant breathe well on your own.
In some cases, it can be treated with a pacemaker to regulate breathing, perColumbia Surgery.
Whichever bang out you have, youre more likely to have trouble breathing when you lie on your back.
And as we learned, heart failure also raises your odds of orthopnea.
There are lots of ways to treat sleep apnea, depending on the jot down and severity.
For some, maintaining a healthy weight or changing their sleeping position can be helpful.
If it gets enlargedoften fromthyroid diseaseyou can develop something called a goiter.
Treatment for goiter will depend on whats causing it and how its affecting your health.
Other conditions associated with orthopnea
Many things can cause shortness of breath while lying down.
This is why it can be tough to tell when you have orthopnea or some other medical issue.
How is orthopnea diagnosed?
Diagnosis often starts with your doctor reviewing your symptoms.
So the key to breathing better on your back is to treat the underlying cause, Dr. Galiatsatos says.
Sometimes a simple tweak to your sleeping position is all you need for a better nights rest.
For example, try using anadjustable mattressor foamwedge pillowto prop yourself up, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Being in an upright posture will help you breathe better, Dr. Galiatsatos says.
Orthopnea is an urgent issue, he adds.
Never dismiss this symptom as it is often indicative of a weakened heart, he says.
Most people with orthopnea will find comfort by sleeping in an elevated or upright position, Dr. Galiatsatos says.
Or ask your doctor about the best position to sleep in.
Whats the difference between orthopnea and paroxysmal nocturnal disease (PND)?
Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND) happens when shortness of breath wakes you up.
Unlike orthopnea, PNDonlyoccurs while youre asleep, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
A combination of sleep apnea and PND could even make you wake up gagging in some cases.
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