Breathing Problems When Lying Down – What Causes It?

Having shortness of breath after exercise or physical activity is very common. But having breathing problems while lying could be a sign of some serious medical condition. It isn’t always a medical emergency, but you should make an appointment with your pulmonologist.

Common causes for difficulty breathing when lying down are:

• panic disorder
• snoring
• respiratory infections
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• sleep apnea
• Pneumonia

Sleep apnea causes shallow or brief pauses in breathing while sleeping. This condition usually occurs due to obstruction of the airways. A sleep study or polysomonography is gold standard diagnostic tool for sleep disordered breathing.

Knowing the symptoms

Feeling of being breathless upon lying flat on your back may be the initial and common symptoms. If these symptoms occur due to a medical condition such as sleep apnea or COPD, there may be other symptoms as well, such as:

Sleep apnea symptoms:

• difficulty staying asleep
• feeling fatigued during the day
• snoring while sleeping
• waking up with headaches
• waking up with a sore throat

COPD symptoms:

• chronic coughing
• difficulty breathing with activity
• wheezing
• frequent chest infections, such as bronchitis

Other important symptoms:

• pain in the chest
• shooting pains in the arms and neck or shoulders
• fever
• rapid breathing
• rapid heart rate
• weak pulse
• dizziness upon standing or sitting

When should I see a doctor for breathing problems?

Breathing difficulty is not always a serious problem, but you should talk to the doctor for breathing problems. This helps them to identify the underlying conditions by learning your symptoms and medical history.

You will also need to tell your doctor about any medication you are taking as certain drugs to treat pain, muscle stiffness or anxiety can cause breathing issues. You may be asked to perform additional tests such as:

• Chest X-rays to test heart and lungs
• an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) to test the electrical activity of the heart

Treatment for breathing problems

Treatment depends on the underlying conditions that caused breathing problems.

Respiratory infection: You may be given antibiotics or antiviral medications to help clear up the infection.

Obesity: Lying on your side decreases the pressure on your lungs by the excess weight. Talk to your doctor for weight loss plans.

COPD: There is no certain cure available for COPD, but you can relieve breathing difficulties with fast-acting inhalers or other medications.

Sleep apnea: The primary treatment for sleep apnea is CPAP machine. The CPAP treatment or CPAP machine delivers a stream of compressed air at a prescribed pressure via nasal mask.

*The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not a sure solution for the conditions.