Orthopnea

ICD-10	R06.0
ICD-9	786.02

Orthopnea or orthopnoea (Greek from ortho, straight + pnoia, breath) is shortness of breath (dyspnea) which occurs when lying flat,^[1] causing the person to have to sleep propped up in bed or sitting in a chair. It is the opposite of platypnea.

It is commonly measured according to the number of pillows needed to prop the patient up to enable breathing (Example: "3 pillow orthopnea").

[edit] Causes

Orthopnea is due to increased distribution of blood to the pulmonary circulation while recumbent,^[2] but usually can be attributed to a more fundamental cause.

Orthopnea is often a symptom of left ventricular heart failure and/or pulmonary edema.^[3][4] It can also occur in those with asthma and chronic bronchitis, as well as those with sleep apnea or panic disorder.^{[citation needed]} It is also associated with polycystic liver disease.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] See also

• Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea
• Trepopnea

[edit] References

v • d • e Symptoms and signs: respiratory system (R04-R07, 786) Hemorrhage Epistaxis · Hemoptysis Abnormalities of breathing Respiratory sounds: Stridor · Wheeze · Rales · Rhonchi · Hamman's sign Dyspnea · Hyperventilation/Hypoventilation · Hyperpnea/Tachypnea/Bradypnea · Orthopnea/Platypnea Biot's respiration · Cheyne-Stokes respiration · Kussmaul breathing Hiccup · Mouth breathing/Snoring Other Asphyxia · Cough · Pleurisy · Sputum Respiratory arrest · Hypercapnia/Hypocapnia Pectoriloquy: Whispered pectoriloquy · Egophony · Bronchophony Pleural friction rub Fremitus Chest, general Chest pain respiratory system navs: anat nose,larynx/lower+thoracic cavity/physio/dev, noncongen/congen/tumors, symptoms+signs/eponymous, proc

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