Difficulty breathing when lying flat
Overview
Difficulty breathing when lying flat, also known as orthopnea, is a condition where a person experiences shortness of breath or trouble breathing when lying down horizontally. This symptom typically improves when the person sits up or elevates their head and upper body.
Common Causes
This occurs when gravity is no longer helping your lungs and heart work efficiently. When you lie down, blood returns more readily to your chest, which can make your heart work harder and reduce lung capacity. Common causes include heart conditions where fluid backs up into the lungs, sleep apnea where airways become blocked, acid reflux that irritates breathing passages, or simply being out of shape where your cardiovascular system struggles with position changes. Pregnancy can also cause this as the growing baby puts pressure on your diaphragm.
Severity Levels
Mild: You may notice slight breathlessness when lying completely flat that goes away when you prop yourself up with one or two pillows. This typically doesn't interfere with your daily activities or sleep quality.
Moderate: You need to sleep with multiple pillows or in a reclining chair to breathe comfortably, and lying flat becomes quite uncomfortable within minutes. This may start affecting your sleep patterns and energy levels during the day.
Severe: You cannot lie flat at all without immediate and significant breathing difficulty, requiring you to sleep sitting upright or standing. This severely impacts your ability to rest and may be accompanied by other concerning symptoms that require immediate medical attention.
Medical Attention
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience sudden onset of breathing difficulties when lying down, especially if accompanied by chest pain, rapid heartbeat, or swelling in your legs or feet. Contact your doctor promptly if this symptom is new, worsening, or interfering with your sleep. If you have existing heart or lung conditions and notice changes in your breathing patterns, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider soon.
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