
What does PND mean in medical terms?
So, among the medical community at large, “PND” is just a description of a symptom. Thus, you will hear “PND” applied to several different medical conditions that can cause sudden dyspnea at night. These conditions are quite numerous and include sleep apnea, asthma, and pulmonary embolus.
Can PND be treated?
Other conditions that cause PND, such as asthma, stomach acid reflux, or sleep apnea, are generally highly treatable. If you experience PND, you should make an appointment with a doctor to identify or confirm the cause.
What is the prognosis of PND?
Heart failure is one of the most serious causes of PND. The outlook for heart failure depends on the underlying cause, as well as risk factors, lifestyle, and treatments. The course of the disease varies a lot from one person to the next.
What is the experience of PND like?
PND is a startling, fearsome and scary experience. Imagine waking up all of a sudden from rest, gasping for air, coughing, wheezing and feeling like you are suffocating. Anxious and frightened, you may rapidly sit up and put your feet on the floor.

What is the treatment for paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea?
Medical treatment can include diuretic therapy to reduce fluid retention and cardiac medication therapy to protect the heart or reduce blood pressure or heart rate. Other treatments, including surgery, may help to decrease the workload on the heart and provide the cells with additional oxygen.
What does the medical term PND mean?
Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND) is a sensation of shortness of breath that awakens the patient, often after 1 or 2 hours of sleep, and is usually relieved in the upright position. Two uncommon types of breathlessness are trepopnea and platypnea.
What does PND mean on lab results?
Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, or PND, is a symptom of heart failure.
What does paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea indicate?
Symptoms. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND) is itself a symptom of heart failure, although it can be associated with other conditions. PND is characterized by a sudden shortness of breath that comes on soon after initially falling asleep, which can be frightening and distressing.
Why does PND only occur at night?
Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea or paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea (PND) is an attack of severe shortness of breath and coughing that generally occurs at night....Treatment.Potential Underlying CauseTreatmentcentral sleep apnea with Cheyne-Strokes breathingcontinuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)1 more row
Is PND life threatening?
PND is a serious condition. A person who suspects they may have symptoms should see a doctor as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment. If a person shows signs of heart failure, they should seek emergency medical care. PND may indicate that a person is living with advanced heart failure.
Does PND mean pending?
PND Pending: Property has an offer (Contract with no contingencies, Kick Outs or Options). The seller requests no further showings and does not want to entertain backup offers. Pending listings do not expire and will stay pending until closed.
Can acid reflux cause paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea?
This study suggests that GERD should be considered as a cause of spontaneous arousal or awakenings unaccompanied by respiratory disturbances. It also demonstrates that treatment with acid suppressors is effective for arousal or awakenings due to nocturnal dyspnea associated with GERD but not accompanied by SDB.
Which is worse PND or orthopnea?
Orthopnea has no time lag.It occurs immediately hence it is obviously more severe. Many of these patients, however, do get into sleep after some time as some sort of compensation or adaptation to neural signals of dyspnea take place. These patients, later on, can get into the same cycle of PND .
How do you sleep with fluid in your lungs?
You might find it more comfortable to sit on the edge of the bed or in an armchair. Lean forward with your arms resting on a pillow on a bed table to allow your lungs to expand as fully as possible. Let your doctor or nurse know if you find it difficult to cope. They can prescribe medicines to help you.
How to treat PND?
For people whose PND is caused by heart failure, a number of treatments may improve symptoms. Medical treatment can include diuretic therapy to reduce fluid retention and cardiac medication therapy to protect the heart or reduce blood pressure or heart rate.
What is PND symptom?
It’s a potential symptom of a number of serious respiratory and circulatory diseases, including: chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) pneumonia. heart failure. Read on to find out what health conditions can cause PND, and how it’s treated.
What is paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea?
There is a lack of consensus over the term “paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea.” Some medical professionals use it to refer exclusively to a symptom of heart failure. In other cases, it’s used to describe nighttime shortness of breath caused by other medical conditions, some of which are benign.
How long does it take for PND to go away?
You might gasp for air, cough, or sit or stand up to try to open your airways. After a while, your breathing may return to normal. It might take a half an hour, or sometimes longer, to recover.
Can you go to sleep after a PND?
Many people find it difficult to return to sleep after an episode of PND. PND can be distressing, and one or more episodes may lead to sleep anxiety or even insomnia. If sitting or standing up doesn’t relieve symptoms of PND, you should call for emergency medical assistance right away.
Is heart failure a cause of PND?
Heart failure is one of the most serious causes of PND. The outlook for heart failure depends on the underlying cause, as well as risk factors, lifestyle, and treatments. The course of the disease varies a lot from one person to the next.
Is sleep apnea a PND?
PND is a symptom that can be caused by a number of different respiratory and circulatory conditions. Sleep apnea, most commonly obstructive sleep apnea, on the other hand, is a medical condition on its own. Sleep apnea can cause PND, but not vice versa. People who have sleep apnea experience multiple ...
Now what?
Now that you have an official diagnosis, what can you do for it? There are a number of treatment options, including home remedies and over-the-counter medications:
What about prescription treatments?
If these approaches aren't effective, prescription treatments may be the next best steps, including:
What about chicken soup?
If you've been told that chicken soup helps with post-nasal drip (or other symptoms of a cold or flu), it's true! But it doesn't actually have to be chicken soup - any hot liquid can help thin the mucus and help you maintain hydration.
When should I call a doctor?
In most cases, post-nasal drip is annoying but not dangerous. However, you should contact your doctor if you have:
What is PND in sleep?
Diagnosis. Treatment. Seeing a doctor. Summary. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND) is a condition that triggers sudden shortness of breath during sleep. This difficulty in breathing can cause a person to wake up gasping for air. It usually occurs several hours after a person falls asleep and improves when they sit upright.
What are the causes of PND?
Some respiratory conditions that trigger PND include: asthma, a chronic condition that affects a person’s lungs. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which refers to a variety of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties. pneumonia, an inflammation of the lungs.
What tests are needed for PND?
As PND can occur due to respiratory and cardiac conditions, a healthcare professional will want to diagnose the underlying cause. Diagnostic tests may include a combination of: physical exams, including blood pressure tests, weight measurements, and listening to a person’s heart and lungs.
When to see a doctor for PND?
When to see a doctor. PND is a serious condition. A person who suspects they may have symptoms should see a doctor as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment. If a person shows signs of heart failure, they should seek emergency medical care. PND may indicate that a person is living with advanced heart failure.
How long does it take for a person to fall asleep after a PND?
It usually occurs several hours after a person falls asleep and improves when they sit upright. It can be a distressing experience, and a person may feel highly anxious after a PND episode. In this article, we discuss what PND is, its symptoms, causes, and risk factors.
What does PND mean in medical terms?
Some doctors use the term PND to refer to nighttime breathlessness that can occur as a result of conditions like sleep apnea, while cardiologists often use the term only in reference to congestive heart failure.
What is PND in cardiology?
Most cardiologists use the term "PND" specifically in reference to those experiencing breathlessness as a result of congestive heart failure. It most commonly occurs in people experiencing shortness of breath with exertion, or shortness of breath when lying down ( orthopnea ). 1 .
What is PND in sleep?
Treatment. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, or PND, is a symptom of heart failure. 1 It is characterized by being awakened during sleep with severe shortness of breath ( dyspnea ), gasping for air, coughing, and feeling the need to sit up, stand up, and/or open a window for air, all of which may help improve breathing after a few minutes.
What is the cause of PND?
If the cause of PND is heart failure , it will require lifelong management through a combination of medications and lifestyle choices. 3 Sometimes, surgery may be required to repair a heart valve or a device may be inserted which helps the heart to contract properly.
What to do if you have PND?
When someone who has been diagnosed with heart failure experiences PND, it is always an indication of substantially worsening heart failure and they should contact their doctor right away or call 911 , even if the symptoms resolve quickly. 1 .
What is paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea?
Strictly speaking, “paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea” means “sudden-onset shortness of breath at night, ” and as such it can be applied to any medical condition that may produce dyspnea during sleep. 2 These include: Sleep apnea. Asthma. Pulmonary embolus (a blood clot in the pulmonary artery that leads to the lungs)
What does PND mean in medical terms?
To define Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea pathology it is necessary to know the terms in detail. PND medical abbreviation stands for “Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea”. PND is also called alternatively called Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnoea, Paroxysmal Dyspnea or Nocturnal Dyspnea. Let’s look at what is Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea defination:
What causes PND in the respiratory system?
PND is brought on by the depression or despondency of the respiratory centers during rest, which may lessen arterial oxygen tension, especially in patients with interstitial lung diseases and decreased respiratory compliance.
Allergies, Infections, Acid Reflux, and More
Kristin Hayes, RN, is a registered nurse specializing in ear, nose, and throat disorders for both adults and children.
What Is Post-Nasal Drip?
Our bodies are constantly producing mucus, and not just in our airways. It's found in the digestive tract and other organs where glands produce mucin . Mucin is the substance that, along with water, makes up our mucus. In the airway, it traps germs and other debris to keep it out of the lungs.
Post-Nasal Drip Caused by Allergies
You may notice post-nasal drip during hay fever (allergic rhinitis) season. Here are ways to treat post-nasal drip caused by allergies: 3
Post-Nasal Drip Caused by Infections
Post-nasal drip can be caused by infections. They include the common cold, RSV, influenza, and sinusitis. 4 It's important to see a healthcare provider to rule out the need for antibiotics, but at home you can try:
Post-Nasal Drip Caused by Acid Reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or acid reflux, can cause post-nasal drip. GERD occurs when stomach acid comes back up into the esophagus. 2 GERD is worse when you lie down because gravity makes it easier for acid to "backwash" into the esophagus and back of the throat.
Post-Nasal Drip Caused by Medications
Some medications, such as birth control or blood pressure drugs, can cause post-nasal drip as a side effect. 5 Many side effects will ease the longer that you take a medication. But it may be that the only way to avoid this side effect is by not taking the drug.
Treating Post-Nasal Drip Caused by Structural (Anatomical) Abnormalities
Post-nasal drip can be caused by your anatomy. Some people have structural abnormalities of the nose and sinuses. 6 Symptoms typically last longer than a few weeks.
What is the number to contact for postnatal depression?
You can also use them to attend events with other parents affected by postnatal depression. Association for Post Natal Illness (APNI) – helpline on 020 7386 0868 (10am to 2pm, Monday to Friday) or email [email protected].
What to do if you have postnatal depression?
Your team will be able to try additional treatments, such as: therapies such as baby massage to help you bond better with your baby, if this has become a problem.
What is the number for NCT?
Pre and Postnatal Depression Advice and Support (PANDAS) – helpline on 0843 28 98 401 (9am to 8pm, Monday to Sunday) NCT – helpline on 0300 330 0700 (8am to midnight, Monday to Sunday) Mind, the mental health charity – infoline on 0300 123 3393 (9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday) or email [email protected].
What is the best treatment for postnatal depression?
Psychological treatments. Psychological treatments, sometime referred to as ‘talking therapies’, can be very effective for the treatment of mild to moderate postnatal depression. These treatments use a variety of techniques to help you identify and manage negative thoughts, feelings and behaviours that are part of postnatal depression – ...
How to help someone with postnatal depression?
Treatment for postnatal depression. If you are experiencing postnatal depression, practical and emotional support can be very helpful, to help give you some time, space and energy to devote to yourself. But often this is not enough to help you to recover, so accessing effective treatment for postnatal depression early, ...
What is ECT treatment?
Electroconvulsive therapy or ECT, is a specialist treatment that involves activating electro-currents to the brain, and can relieve a range of severe symptoms of postnatal depression. ECT is generally prescribed if your postnatal depression is severe and medications are not having a positive effect on your symptoms.
Can interpersonal therapy help with postnatal depression?
As postnatal depression can be associated with previous losses and/or may be affecting your relationships with others, interpersonal therapy can provide you with helpful strategies to help you resolve these issues which, if present, are likely to be affecting your postnatal depression. These two types of therapy can be provided ...

Now What?
What About Prescription Treatments?
What About Chicken Soup?
- If you've been told that chicken soup helps with post-nasal drip (or other symptoms of a cold or flu), it's true! But it doesn't actually have to be chicken soup - any hot liquid can help thin the mucus and help you maintain hydration.
When Should I Call A Doctor?
- In most cases, post-nasal drip is annoying but not dangerous. However, you should contact your doctor if you have: 1. Unexplained fever 2. Bloody mucus 3. Wheezing or shortness of breath 4. Foul smelling drainage 5. Persistent symptoms despite treatment
The Bad News/Good News About Post-Nasal Drip
- Post-nasal drip is among the most common causes of persistent cough, hoarseness, sore throat and other annoying symptoms. It can be caused by a number of conditions and may linger for weeks or months. That's the bad news. The good news is that most of the causes can be quickly identified and most will improve with treatment. Image: Cecilie_Arcurs/G...
Symptoms of Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea
Causes
- Most cardiologists use the term "PND" specifically in reference to those experiencing breathlessness as a result of congestive heart failure. It most commonly occurs in people experiencing shortness of breath with exertion, or shortness of breath when lying down (orthopnea).1 People who experience orthopnea usually have at least some swelling (ed...
Diagnosis
- If you experience symptoms but have not been diagnosed with a heart condition, your healthcare provider is likely to order one of several tests to see the condition of the heart and measure heart function. These might include: 1. Blood tests 2. Bronchoscopy 3. Chest CT scan 4. Chest X-ray 5. Coronary artery angiogram 6. Echocardiogram, or a cardiac ultrasound 7. Stress tests 8. A cardi…
Treatment
- If the cause of PND is heart failure, it will require lifelong management through a combination of medications and lifestyle choices.3 Sometimes, surgery may be required to repair a heart valve or a device may be inserted which helps the heart to contract properly. With such treatments, heart failure can improve, and the heart sometimes becomes stronger. A wide array of medicati…
A Word from Verywell
- It’s not up to you to figure out whether your acute dyspnea at night is due to heart failure or to some other cause. It’s up to your healthcare provider. What you need to know is that PND alwaysindicates that a serious medical problem is going on. Whatever the cause turns out to be, you need to get medical help right away if you experience this symptom.