Breathing difficulty - lying down

Your health care provider may prescribe therapy to treat breathing difficulty while lying down.

Weight reduction is generally recommended in cases of obesity.

If you have any unexplained difficulty in breathing while lying down, call for an appointment with your health care provider.

The health care provider will perform a physical examination and will obtain your medical history.

Medical history questions documenting nocturnal dyspnea include the following:

• Ttime pattern
  • Did this develop suddenly or slowly?
  • Is it getting worse (progressive)?
• Quality
  • How bad is it?
  • How many pillows are required to breathe comfortably?
• Aggravating factors
  • Is there any ankle, feet, and leg swelling?
  • Does the person have difficulty breathing at other times?
  • How tall is the person? How much do they weigh?
• What other symptoms are also present?

The physical examination will include special attention to the heart and lungs (cardiovascular and respiratory systems).

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include the following:

• ECG
• Pulmonary function tests
• Chest X-ray