For instance, long-term asthma control medications can help to reduce shortness of breath at night. When PND is caused by a lung or other respiratory system disorder, treating the disorder usually helps to ease symptoms. Sleeping propped up on several pillows may also provide relief from PND. Other treatments, including surgery, may help to decrease the workload on the heart and provide the cells with additional oxygen. Medical treatment can include diuretic therapy to reduce fluid retention and cardiac medication therapy to protect the heart or reduce blood pressure or heart rate.

Your doctor can help you understand the best course of treatment based on your symptoms.įor people whose PND is caused by heart failure, a number of treatments may improve symptoms.

Treatments for PND vary depending on the cause. You should see a doctor to determine what’s causing your nighttime shortness of breath. PND can also be related to a variety of other conditions. Respiratory conditions that can cause or lead to PND include: PND can also be related to lung and respiratory system function. Many people with heart failure also experience difficulty breathing when exerting themselves or laying down. It can lead to fluid buildup in the lungs ( pulmonary edema) and around the lungs, which can make it difficult to breathe. Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure, occurs when the heart muscle struggles to adequately pump blood throughout the body. Some of the most common causes of nighttime shortness of breath are described below. In other cases, it’s used to describe nighttime shortness of breath caused by other medical conditions, some of which are benign. There is a lack of consensus over the term “paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea.” Some medical professionals use it to refer exclusively to a symptom of heart failure.

Nocturnal dyspnea