what is pnd

Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND) is a condition that triggers sudden shortness of breath during sleep, usually several hours after a person falls asleep. It is a symptom of heart failure, and it can be a distressing experience that causes a person to wake up gasping for air. PND can also be caused by lung problems, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) . The symptoms of PND include severe shortness of breath and coughing that generally occur at night, and it usually awakens the person from sleep. PND, as well as simple orthopnea, may be relieved by sitting upright at the side of the bed with legs dangling, as symptoms typically occur when the person is recumbent, or lying down. Risk factors for PND include those that affect the function of the heart and lungs, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, tobacco use, pollution, exposure to hazardous fumes, and allergens. If you experience PND, you should talk to your doctor to get an appropriate and accurate diagnosis.