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Q: Why do you have difficulty breathing when lying on your back only?
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What is orthopnea?

Orthopnea means difficulty breathing when lying flat or, stated another way, easy breathing only when upright.


What is the medical term meaning only able to breathe when lying down?

Difficulty breathing when in an upright posture, usually relieved by lying down, is called platypnea. The word is from the Greek platus (flat) and pnoia (breath).


Why would you have trouble breathing?

There could be a variety of reasons. It could be anything from asthma, smoking, sinusitis, heart issues, stress to allergies. Difficulty breathing is always a sure sign you need to get medical attention. Only a detailed diagnostic from a specialized medicine doctor can tell you the cause of your difficulty to breathe.


Can a person having difficulty breathing walk a distance of about 500 meters to seek medical help?

If it is the only means of getting help, shouldn't the person try?


What side effects does anemarrhena cause?

Animal studies show that anemarrhena, when administered intravenously at only moderate dosage, can cause breathing difficulty and a decrease in blood pressure.


What are some symptoms of a pulmonary fibrosis?

Some symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis are cough, reduced physical endurance and difficulty when breathing. Lung transplantation is the only option of treatment for pulmonary fibrosis.


What is three-pillow orthopnea?

Three pillow orthopnea is a sign that you have trouble breathing. It means that you can only breathe easily if you are not lying flat -- e.g. if you are leaning partially upright against three pillows.


Breathing difficulty - lying down?

DefinitionBreathing difficulty while lying down is an abnormal condition in which a person must keep the head elevated (by sitting or standing) to be able to breathe deeply or comfortably. The condition may also cause a person to wake up suddenly during the night feeling short of breath (paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea).Alternative NamesWaking at night short of breath; Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea; PND; Difficulty breathing while lying down; OrthopneaConsiderationsThis is a common complaint in people with some types of heart or lung problems. Sometimes the problem is subtle. People may only notice it when they realize that sleep is more comfortable with lots of pillows under their head, or their head in a propped-up position.Common CausesChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)Cor pulmonaleHeart failureHypertensive heart diseaseObesity (does not directly cause difficulty breathing while lying down but often aggravates other conditions)Panic disorderSleep apneaSnoringHome CareYour health care provider may prescribe treatment for breathing difficulty while lying down. The treatment will depend on the specific illness causing the problem.Weight loss is generally recommended in people who are obese.Call your health care provider ifIf you have any unexplained difficulty in breathing while lying down, call for an appointment with your health care provider.What to expect at your health care provider's officeThe health care provider will perform a physical examination and take your medical history.Medical history questions may include:Did this problem develop suddenly or slowly?Is it getting worse (progressive)?How bad is it?How many pillows do you need to help you breathe comfortably?Is there any ankle, feet, and leg swelling?Do you have difficulty breathing at other times?How tall are you? How much do you weigh?What other symptoms do you have?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:Chest x-rayECGEchocardiogramPulmonary function testsYou may need to receive supplemental oxygen.ReferencesHess OM, Carroll JD. Clinical assessment of heart failure. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 23.Massie BM. Heart failure: pathophysiology and diagnosis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 57.


What is a sentence using the word exacerbate?

Eventually they will help, but for now the various road construction projects around town only exacerbate our traffic problems. Higher pollen counts will exacerbate breathing difficulty for those with allergies.


What is a muscle that is associated with breathing?

The diaphragm. It is the only muscle that causes breathing.


How do you change the difficulty in minecraft I changed the difficulty from creative to easy using difficulty 1 but now I want creative back to fix a house that got destroyed?

First of all, only include the question, no additional details, that's for Yahoo!. The answer is: the command /gamemode 1 is the one to switch to creaative mode with.


Breathing difficulty?

DefinitionBreathing difficulty involves a sensation of difficult or uncomfortable breathing or a feeling of not getting enough air.See also: Difficulty breathing - first aidAlternative NamesShortness of breath; Breathlessness; Difficulty breathing; DyspneaConsiderationsNo standard definition exists for difficulty breathing. Some people may feel breathless with only mild exercise (for example, climbing stairs), even though they do not have a specific disorder. Others may have advanced lung disease but never feel short of breath.Wheezing is one form of breathing difficulty.See also:ApneaLung diseasesRapid breathingCommon CausesShortness of breath has many different causes.A blockage of the air passages in your nose, mouth, or throat may lead to difficulty breathing.Heart disease can cause breathlessness if your heart is unable to pump enough blood to supply oxygen to your body. If your brain, muscles, or other body organs do not receive enough oxygen, a sense of breathlessness may occur.Sometimes emotional distress, such as anxiety, can lead to difficulty breathing.The following problems may cause breathing difficulty:Problems with the lungsPneumonia(severe)BronchiolitisChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and other chronic lung problemsBlood clot in the arteries of the lungs (pulmonary embolism)Pulmonary hypertensionProblems with the airways leading to the lungsChoking on something stuck in the airwaysCroupEpiglottitisProblems with the heartHeart attack or anginaHeart failureHeart rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias)Children born with heart defects (congenital heart disease)Other problemsRapid ascent to high altitudes, where there is less oxygen in the airA large amount of dust in the environmentAllergies (such as to mold, dander, or pollen)Lack of exerciseObesityCompression of the chest wallPanic attacksHiatial herniaHome CareIn some circumstances, a small degree of breathing difficulty may be normal. Severe nasal congestion is one example. Strenuous exercise, especially when you do not exercise regularly, is another example.If difficulty breathing is new or is getting worse, this may indicate a serious problem. Though many causes are harmless and easily corrected, any breathing difficulty requires that you contact your health care provider.If your doctor has been treating you for a long-term problem with your lungs or heart, follow your health care provider's directions to help with that problem. (See: asthma, COPD, heart failure)Call your health care provider ifGo to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if:Breathing difficulty comes on suddenly or seriously interferes with your breathingSomeone completely stops breathingSee your health care provider if breathing difficulty starts suddenly or is severe, or if any of the following occur with breathing difficulties:Chest discomfort, pain, or pressureShortness of breath after only slight exertion or while at restShortness of breath that wakes you up at night or requires you to sleep propped up to aid breathingWheezingHaving inhaled or choked on an object (foreign object aspiration or ingestion)Tightness in the throat or a barking, croupy coughDevelopment of a fever or significant coughWhat to expect at your health care provider's officeYour health care provider will take a detailed medical history and perform a physical examination.You may be asked the following medical history questions:Do you notice shortness of breath?Do you make grunting sounds while breathing?Do you have to work hard to breathe?How long have you had breathing difficulty?Did it slowly progress over weeks to months?Did it begin recently?Did it begin suddenly?Did it come on slowly (gradual onset)?Is there a sequence of separate occurrences (episodes)? How long does each last, and does each episode have a similar pattern?Has the breathing difficulty worsened recently?Does breathing difficulty cause you to wake up at night (paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea)?Does the amount of breathing difficulty change (variable over hours)?Does breathing difficulty occur at rest?How long does each episode last?Is it worse when you lie flat (orthopnea)?Is it worse when you change body position?Did it develop within 4 to 6 hours after exposure to something that you are or may be allergic to (antigen)?Is it worse after exercise?Does shortness of breath occur only when you are wheezing?Is your breathing pattern irregular?Do you draw back the chest muscles with breathing (intercostal retractions)?What other symptoms do you have?The physical examination will include a thorough check of your lungs, heart, and upper airway passages.Tests that may be performed include the following:Blood tests (may include arterial blood gases)Measurement of blood oxygen saturation (pulse oximetry)ECGX-ray of the chestPulmonary function testsExercise testingCT scan of the chestEchocardiogramIn severe cases of difficulty breathing, hospitalization may be required. Many different medications aimed at treating the cause of breathing difficulty may be used.If your blood oxygen level is very low, you may need to receive oxygen. High doses of supplemental oxygen may be hazardous for some patients, however. Oxygen is not necessary in all cases of shortness of breath.ReferencesBraithwaite S, Perina D. Dyspnea. In: Marx J, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier;2006:chap 18.Kraft M. Approach to the patient with respiratory diseases. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 83.