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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Difficulty In Breathing While Lying Down?

My breathing worsens when I lie down. Often I have to rise and use ventolin. It still does not help and I have to sit up cough and maybe after half an hour I can for asleep... BUT only for one hour at the most. And so it goes all night every night for about six weeks now.
Fri, 31 Oct 2014
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hi welcome to HCM.
Difficulty in breathing in lying down posture suggests orthopnoea with paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea. This could be due to impaired oxygenation of the lung. I advise you to have a chest x ray and 2 dimensional echocardiography of the heart to rule out congestive heart failure. Ventilation perfusion studies help to localise the areas of the lung with pathology. Drugs like bronchodilators and inotropic agents will help to improve the circulation and airflow through the lung. Diuretics can eliminate any excess water through the lungs improving the breathing pattern. I advise you to restrict the intake of water and salt in your diet. Home oxygenation therapy will help to improve the nocturnal breathing pattern. Monitor your lung function through periodic PFT's-pulmonary function tests. Consult your pulmonologist for further help.
Thank you.
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What Causes Difficulty In Breathing While Lying Down?

Hi welcome to HCM. Difficulty in breathing in lying down posture suggests orthopnoea with paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea. This could be due to impaired oxygenation of the lung. I advise you to have a chest x ray and 2 dimensional echocardiography of the heart to rule out congestive heart failure. Ventilation perfusion studies help to localise the areas of the lung with pathology. Drugs like bronchodilators and inotropic agents will help to improve the circulation and airflow through the lung. Diuretics can eliminate any excess water through the lungs improving the breathing pattern. I advise you to restrict the intake of water and salt in your diet. Home oxygenation therapy will help to improve the nocturnal breathing pattern. Monitor your lung function through periodic PFT s-pulmonary function tests. Consult your pulmonologist for further help. Thank you.