What Is Orthopnea?
Article Sources
- 1. Vaskar Mukerji: 'Dyspnea, Orthopnea, and Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea.' Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd Edition. 1990, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK213/
- 2. 'Pulmonary edema.' Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pulmonary-edema/symptoms-causes/syc-20377009
- 3. Rakesh K. Pai, MD, FACC; Martin J. Gabica, MD; E. Gregory Thompson, MD; Adam Husney, MD; Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC: 'Heart Failure Symptoms.' UMHS Michigan Medicine, August 31, 2020, https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/tx4082abc
- 4. Biykem Bozkurt; Douglas L. Mann: 'Shortness of Breath.' AHA Journals, July 15, 2003, https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/01.CIR.0000075956.36340.78
- 5. Cara Martinez: 'Shortness of Breath: When to See Your Doctor.' Cedars-Sinai, September 30, 2019, https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/shortness-of-breath.html
- 6. 'Heart Failure: Risk Factors.' University Health Care System, https://www.universityhealth.org/heart-failure/risk-factors/
9. Prognosis
As with most aspects of orthopnea, the outlook depends a great deal on the cause of this condition. Severity, timing and available treatment options are all factors. Early medical intervention can often yield encouraging results.
Naturally, serious conditions like advanced heart failure and COPD are more complex and difficult to treat than an acute infection or altitude sickness. So, prognosis varies. Sometimes, medication and oxygen supplementation are used to address the immediate breathing issues of orthopnea while treatment for the underlying cause is ongoing.
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