What is orthopnea: Symptoms, causes, and treatment
For people with orthopnea, the breathing difficulty typically disappears quickly after they get up from a horizontal position. In a related condition known as paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, the shortness of breath wakes the person up a couple of hours after they fall asleep.
In this article, we look at the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of orthopnea.
Symptoms
Orthopnea is a symptom rather than a condition in itself. The medical term for shortness of breath is dyspnea. Orthopnea is a type of dyspnea that only occurs when a person is lying down.
People often describe orthopnea as a sensation of tightness in the chest that makes breathing difficult or uncomfortable. Some individuals may also experience chest pain.
Orthopnea can be mild or severe. Some people may barely notice this symptom when they use one or two pillows to prop up their upper body. For others, it can cause significant breathing difficulties that they can only relieve by sitting upright or standing.
Other symptoms can also occur, which will depend on the underlying cause. For example, a common cause of orthopnea is heart failure, which can also cause the following symptoms:
- fatigue
- changes in appetite
- nausea
- confusion
- increased heart rate
- persistent coughing or wheezing
The purpose of orthopnea treatment is to lessen the symptoms and address the underlying cause.
Some people may be able to relieve symptoms temporarily by sleeping in a more elevated position. A simple way to do this is to prop up the upper body using pillows. Alternatively, a person could try placing foam wedges underneath the mattress or raising the head of the bed using wooden blocks.
If the individual is overweight or obese, losing weight may also help reduce orthopnea. A doctor or dietician can advise on an exercise or diet plan for losing weight.
Depending on the underlying cause of a person’s orthopnea, a doctor may prescribe medications, such as:
- anti-inflammatory medications
- drugs to improve the clearance of mucus from the lungs
- steroids
- diuretics
- vasodilators
- inotropic drugs, which alter the force of the heart’s contractions
Orthopnea is often a symptom of an underlying heart condition. The treatment of this condition may involve ongoing care and lifestyle changes. Depending on the severity of the heart condition, a person may sometimes require surgery.
Takeaway
Orthopnea is a shortness of breath that occurs when lying down but usually resolves on sitting or standing up. Orthopnea is often a symptom of heart failure, but it can develop due to other conditions that affect the normal functioning of the lungs, such as COPD.
Anyone who experiences orthopnea should see a doctor for an evaluation. The treatment of orthopnea will depend on its underlying cause. However, a person may find temporary relief by raising their head and chest with some pillows when lying in bed.
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