orthopnea

(ör′thäp·nē·ə)

(medicine) A condition in which there is difficulty in breathing except when sitting or standing upright.

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(ôr'thŏp-nē'ə, ôr-thŏp'nē-ə)
n.

Discomfort in breathing that is relieved by sitting or standing in an erect position.

IN BRIEF: n. - Inability to breathe comfortably except when standing or sitting erect.

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Ability to breathe easily only while standing, seen in congestive heart failure.

• orthopneic position — dogs with congestive heart failure will resist lying down, preferring to stand or sit in order to relieve pulmonary congestion.

(ôr′thopnē′ə)
n

An inability to breathe except in an upright position.