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Dealing with wheezing while lying down

Nov 30, 2022 | Blog

Is soundless sleep a dream for you? Are you tired of wheezing while lying down for a good slumber? Read this blog to get your answers and more. Wheezing, the rattling sound, is due to the constriction of airways when you breathe in and out, mostly because of inflammation.

But that’s not it; other conditions are linked to this problem as well; let’s discuss them in detail.

Wheezing Problem When Lying Down

You may suffer from wheezing when lying down after a few hours of being reclined; it might be due to these conditions:

Sleep apnea

In this condition, the breathing halts and restarts in the form of episodes throughout your sleep. Few of the most common signs of sleep apnea, apart from wheezing while lying down, include:

  1. Snoring
  2. Gasp for air
  3. Xerostomia – Dry mouth
  4. Persistent headaches every morning
  5. Inability to sleep
  6. Hypersomnia – excessive daytime sleepiness
  7. Breathing cessation while sleeping

Heart failure

It is the heart running towards the failure to pump an adequate amount of blood toward the rest of the body.

  1. wheezing while you lie down
  2. shortness of breath
  3. Sudden breath cessation with foamy mucus
  4. Extreme fatigue
  5. Dizziness
  6. Nocturnal urination
  7. Arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat
  8. Productive coughing with phlegm
  9. A rapid increase in bodily weight
  10. Loss of appetite
  11. Brain fog
  12. Swelling of legs and feet
  13. Chest pain

Nocturnal asthma.

Asthma worsens while you sleep. Even though there is not enough evidence to support the claim, possible reasons include cool air, reclined body, and hormonal changes.

Symptoms include:

  1. Wheezing
  2. Cough
  3. Chest tightness
  4. Difficulty or shortness of breath

GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)

This condition results in stomach acid flowing to the esophagus. This results in breathing troubles and causes wheezing.

The stomach acid and asthma coupled together get worse while you sleep.

Here are some symptoms that accompany wheezing when lying down at night:

  1. Heartburn
  2. Pain in chest
  3. Swallowing difficulties
  4. Chronic cough
  5. Laryngitis
  6. Asthma
  7. Disrupted sleep

How To Sleep Peacefully and Avoid Wheezing?

People who suffer from wheezing while lying down on the bed or any other surface may find it difficult to go to sleep.

Therefore, professionals have this formula set for improving sleeping patterns:

  1. Do not eat right before going to bed: GERD patients should especially aim to have their last meal at least 2–3 hours before lying down. This significantly reduces acid reflux at night, consequently irritating the esophagus.
  2. Steer clear of caffeine and alcohol since both make it increasingly likely for a person to experience asthma symptoms. Additionally, caffeine negatively impacts acid reflux.
  3. Get rid of allergens if you have asthma or bronchitis while you sleep.
  4. Use decongestants for particularly breathing at night.
  5. Keep your head, neck, and shoulders elevated to open the airways while you sleep, preventing wheezing and reducing acid reflux.
  6. Keep your medications nearby, such as inhalers that help you breathe while lying down or sleeping.

Final Words

Always remember to keep your inhaler with you at all times to use it in case of wheezing if it happens while you sleep at night. You can always contact a pulmonologist in Tomball near Prosperity Bank from Pulmonary Medical Consultants.

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