Obesity is associated with a variety of changes in the normal physiology of respiration, including smaller lung volumes and an increased effort required to generate a normal rate and depth of ventilation. This causes shortness of breath. PND often happens after one or two hours of sleep, and is usually relieved by coming to an upright position. Shortness of breath when you lie down is … Shortness of breath at night can be made worse by common irritants in the air like pollen, mold, dust mites, pet dander and secondhand smoke. Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is another cause of orthopnea. Called “pannus,” this phenomenon prevents the lungs from inflating fully. Sleep Apnea. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, Eighteenth Edition; Dan L. Longo, M.D., et al. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. You may feel more breathless lying down because the fluid in your lungs moves with gravity, making more of your lungs wet (think of liquid in a bottle upright and then lying on its side). Shortness of breath is a common problem during pregnancy. A number of lung conditions can cause shortness of breath that worsens when lying down. On the other hand, shortness of breath due to the new coronavirus is caused by the pathogen SARS-CoV-2. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is a chronic lung disease usually caused smoking. The medical term for this symptom is paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND). A number of lung conditions can cause shortness of breath that worsens when lying down. Even if it isn’t a medical emergency, if you’re having shortness of breath regularly, it’s a good idea to speak with your doctor. Please note that this article is only about recurring symptoms*, and if you have breathing difficulty that comes on suddenly or seriously interferes with your breathing, then you should seriously consider going to the emergency room or calling 911. This is true for adults as well as children who suffer from asthma. Research has shown that levels of pollutants (particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide) may be linked to people’s symptoms of wheezing and shortness of breath (Doiron et al., 2017). *The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Orthopnea is the medical term for shortness of breath when lying down. You may live in an area with a high level of air pollution, such as near a busy street. Breathing Trouble While Lying Down: Difficulty In Breathing At Night Breathing trouble is an uncomfortable feeling caused due to many respiratory problems or other systemic diseases. Some people with heart failure wake up in the middle of the night with severe shortness of breath. After discussing with your doctor, taking these environmental measures may help with shortness of breath at night and help improve indoor air quality. Other causes might be problems with the lungs, the airways leading to the lungs, and the heart, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM). This condition causes a person to wake up suddenly during the night feeling short of breath. Shortness of breath is a telltale sign of the condition. In advanced emphysema, people may also experience shortness of breath when sitting or lying down. Sleep apnea is one of the most common reasons people have a shortness of breath while lying down. This can lead to wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. Are you waking up suddenly in the middle of the night and feeling short of breath? Dear Doctor: About three years ago, I began to get short of breath upon lying down. While these symptoms may occur at any time, with any activity or any position, there are certain specific causes when chest pain occurs when lying down. Shortness of breath resulting from CHF may worsen when lying flat because blood that pools in your legs while upright puts extra strain on the heart when you lie down. Shortness of breath with exertion is referred to as … People who experience this condition often have to sleep with their heads propped up … If you have a child, you can try special steps to improve your child’s bedroom if they have asthma. Learn more about a new technology that can destroy these pollutants. When there is shortness of breath, you find it hard to take in the oxygen that your body requires. Causes for shortness of breath while lying down may include: The above reasons relate to why it could be difficult to breathe while lying down in general. When there are high levels of both, those with asthma are more likely to have symptoms, especially older adults and children. (Harrison's, Ch 2. 2. As in asthma, during acute COPD exacerbations patients may complain of orthopnea, and may assume a "tripod" position, sitting up and leaning forward with their hands on their knees, in order to relieve their breathlessness. Close. Other symptoms include cough and wheezing. Pneumonia (lung inflammation) may also cause shortness of breath and a cough. With CHF, spaces in the lungs that are normally filled with air become congested with blood, causing fluid leakage into these areas. If you or a family member has asthma, a physician may suggest changes in the environment to reduce allergens in the air. Dr. Bernard Seif answered 39 years experience Clinical Psychology An important way to reduce levels of allergens in the bedroom is to prevent the buildup of contaminants like dust and mold as much as possible. One potential cause is a condition called paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND), according to the NLM. The above allows me to write directly to the reader based on personal experiences. no pain. The strain worsens the heart's pumping function and leads to extra fluid backup in the lungs. It's usually caused by an infection, so you'll need to take antibiotics. Some people with asthma experience symptoms primarily at night, and notice shortness of breath when lying down to sleep. People who carry excess weight or have obesity may have difficulty breathing when lying down due to the compressive effects of the weight on their abdomen. The person will start using two or three pillows to prop themselves up while in bed so that they can breathe easier. DeGowin's Diagnostic Examination, Ninth Edition; Richard F. LeBlond, M.D., et al. If you have COPD, it's likely your breathlessness is a sign this condition has suddenly got worse. For dust mite allergens, you can try using allergen-friendly covers for mattresses and pillows. Many heart conditions can lead to CHF, but the most common are coronary artery disease, high blood pressure and disorders of the structure or function of your heart valves. Shortness of breath when lying down. What May Cause Shortness of Breath When Walking or Biking? shortness of breath lying down The nurse gave me the results over the phone, but didn't say if I should come in and see the doctor or not. Shortness of breath when lying down, also known as orthopnea, can affect individuals when sleeping or awake. If you have shortness of breath at night, you should see your doctor. Shortness of breath while lying down. If so, you may want to monitor when air pollution levels are high through AirNow. The reasons for these nighttime symptoms are debated, but shortness of breath at night may indicate undiagnosed asthma. All orthopnea requires a thorough medical evaluation, but rapid-onset orthopnea merits emergency medical attention. PND could be … Obesity is also associated with shortness of breath, which is typically worse when laying flat. They are small patches of sensitive muscle tissue, maybe caused by a “micro cramp,” or possibly neurological hypersensitivity. The truth is that recurring episodes of sudden shortness of breath at night or in the early morning hours is an important sign of asthma (Ukena, Fishman & Niebling, 2008). Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is another cause of orthopnea. Most air purifiers trap allergens on filters, but a newer technology is able to destroy them from the air. This condition will cause you to wake up suddenly during the night and feel short of breath. This is because in order to breath, your diaphragm, the principle muscle of respiration, must compress your abdominal contents in order to expand your lungs. Considerations The reasons for these nighttime symptoms are debated, but shortness of breath at night may indicate undiagnosed asthma. 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