SYMPTOM
This is when you feel like you can't catch your breath, and it gets worse when you lie down flat.
For general awareness only. This is not medical advice. If symptoms are severe or persistent, consult a healthcare professional.
Showing 8 causes
Congestive heart failure
Your heart isn't pumping blood efficiently, so fluid backs up into your lungs when you lie flat.
Copd exacerbation
Lung damage from COPD makes your airways narrow and breathing tough, especially when flat.
Asthma
Your airways narrow and inflame more easily when you're lying down, which makes it harder for air to pass through.
Pericardial effusion
Fluid builds up around your heart, squeezing it and making it harder to pump blood effectively. This fluid shifts when you lie down which presses on the lungs.
Obesity
Excess weight puts pressure on your chest and lungs when lying down. This restricts how much your lungs could expand.
Sleep apnea
Your airway collapses repeatedly during sleep which reduces oxygen.
Pulmonary embolism
A blood clot travels to your lungs which blocks blood flow.
Diaphragmatic paralysis
Your diaphragm muscle is important for breathing. When it is weak or not working, it impairs breathing.