Orthopnoea
Orthopnoea (pronounced: or-thop-noe-uh) is a medical term that refers to a condition where an individual experiences difficulty in breathing while lying flat. The term is derived from the Greek words "orthos" meaning straight or upright, and "pnoia" meaning breath.
Definition
Orthopnoea is a symptom rather than a disease itself. It is characterized by shortness of breath (dyspnoea) that occurs when lying down and is relieved upon sitting or standing up. This symptom is commonly associated with heart failure, but can also be seen in other conditions such as pulmonary disease.
Causes
The most common cause of orthopnoea is congestive heart failure. In this condition, fluid accumulates in the lungs when the person is lying down, making it difficult to breathe. Other causes can include severe asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and certain neurological conditions.
Symptoms
The primary symptom of orthopnoea is difficulty breathing when lying down. This can lead to disrupted sleep, as the person may need to wake up to sit or stand to relieve the discomfort. Other symptoms can include fatigue, wheezing, and a rapid heartbeat.
Treatment
Treatment for orthopnoea involves addressing the underlying cause. This may involve medications to treat heart failure or lung disease, lifestyle changes such as weight loss and quitting smoking, and in some cases, surgery.
Related Terms
- Dyspnoea: General term for difficulty breathing.
- Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea: Sudden, severe shortness of breath that wakes a person from sleep.
- Platypnoea: Difficulty breathing that is relieved when lying down, the opposite of orthopnoea.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Orthopnoea
- Wikipedia's article - Orthopnoea
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski