Why do i get wheezy when i lay down

Studies show that anywhere from 30 to 70 percent of patients with asthma tell their doctors about waking up with nighttime asthma symptoms at least once a month. You can have nocturnal asthma regardless of the type of asthma you have — including allergic, nonallergic, occupational, and exercise-induced asthma. The best way to control nighttime asthma is to control your asthma in general.

Durrani added. Having difficulty sleeping with asthma can be serious. When you are sleep-deprived, you can be extremely fatigued during the day. According to the National Sleep Foundation, people who have nocturnal asthma tend to have more severe asthma , and the more severe your asthma, the greater your risk of death. Some people wake up coughing and wheezing but may not have nighttime asthma. Other conditions that can cause you to wake up coughing and wheezing include: heartburn, gastric reflux, untreated or undiagnosed sleep apnea , heart failure , and abnormalities of the vocal cords, Durrani said.

This article will look at some of the more common causes of and treatments for shortness of breath when lying down. In heart failure, the heart can no longer pump blood to the rest of the body as well as it should. Or, it has trouble relaxing after squeezing. So, the pressures in the heart increase, which can cause the fluid to back up into the lungs, abdomen, or legs.

Heart failure can result in fatigue , shortness of breath, leg swelling, and, in some cases, coughing. Everyday activities such as walking and climbing stairs can become more difficult. There is no cure for heart failure, but people can usually manage the condition by using medications and making healthful lifestyle choices. Typical medications for heart failure include:.

Emphysema is a type of lung condition comprising chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD. This condition damages the air sacs in the lungs and makes the breathing tubes narrower, making it more difficult to breathe.

Smoking causes most cases of emphysema. Passive smoking and poor air quality can also play a role. People with this condition will usually find it difficult to breathe when carrying out physical activities. In advanced emphysema, people may also experience shortness of breath when sitting or lying down. It is not possible to reverse the lung damage that emphysema causes. However, quitting smoking can stop the damage from getting any worse. Treatments for COPD tend to focus on preventing further damage and improving the symptoms.

They include:. People who carry excess weight or have obesity may have difficulty breathing when lying down due to the compressive effects of the weight on their abdomen.

Around Losing weight can help ease orthopnea. The best way to lose weight is to get plenty of exercise and follow a healthful, balanced diet. People who follow a healthful diet often have lower rates of heart disease, diabetes , and some other chronic health conditions. A common sign of OSA is snoring that is interspersed with gasping and choking sounds. People with OSA may also pause their breathing. Other symptoms of OSA may include restless sleep, sudden body movements, morning headaches, irritability, and memory problems.

If you have trouble sleeping due to severe asthma , be sure to talk with your doctor, Dr. Bose says. In addition to taking asthma medications as prescribed , here are seven steps you can take to lower your chances of having a nighttime asthma attack :.

Clean your bedroom regularly. Use a vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air HEPA filter to trap mites and their waste and get them out of your bedroom. Wash your bedding in hot water weekly. Make sure the water is at least degrees Fahrenheit so it will kill dust mites.

Finish the job in a hot dryer. Invest in dust-proof mattress and pillow protectors. These zippered covers are woven tightly to keep dust mites out of bedding. You can find them at bedding and housewares stores, the AAFA says. Invest in a humidifier. Cold air is drier and more troublesome for people with severe asthma.