Shortness of breath that occurs at any time can be a sign of a serious underlying medical condition. However, treatment may be delayed due to dismissing this symptom as a sign of being out of shape or just getting older. Shortness of breath should always be evaluated; this includes talking to a physician about the history of symptoms, including when they occur. Shortness of breath that occurs primarily while lying down may provide a clue as to the cause.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Any type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, can cause shortness of breath when lying down, states the University of Maryland Medical Center. COPD includes conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and emphysema. In some cases, this symptom can be mild, while for others it can disrupt sleep and lead to frequent periods of waking up abruptly. Sometimes this symptom can be resolved by propping the head up onto pillows while sleeping.
Congestive Heart Failure
The Heart Care Center of Illinois claims that congestive heart failure is diagnosed when the heart muscle is too weak to pump the required amount of blood and oxygen that the body needs. Blood may back up into the lungs and make breathing difficult. Breathing difficulties tend to get worse when lying down and are usually accompanied by a cough. Congestive heart failure may cause a patient to wake up during the night, unable to catch his breath. There is a condition called cor pulmonale, which is a failure of the right side of the heart due to long-term high blood pressure, which can also cause this symptom.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a condition where the throat is temporarily closed off or the brain fails to signal the breathing muscles while sleeping. It can cause breathing to stop periodically and snoring to the point sleep is disrupted. The patient often awakes with a snort or labored attempt to breathe, and this can happen multiple times throughout the night. The National Institutes of Heath suggest avoiding sleeping on the back, refraining from alcohol or sedatives too close to bedtime, losing excess weight and, in severe cases, talking with a physician about CPAP treatment or surgery.
Panic Attack
A panic attack causes a sudden intense feeling of fear or doom that can be caused by genetics, stress or malfunctions in the brain. Sometimes the cause remains unknown. The Mayo Clinic states that they can occur at any time, even when asleep. Among other symptoms, a panic attack at night can lead to shortness of breath while lying down. Panic attacks that occur frequently are considered a panic disorder and require medical attention.
