Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea (PND)

Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND) is when you wake up suddenly feeling like you can’t catch your breath. You might also cough. Sitting up helps you breathe normally again within 10 to 15 minutes. Heart, lung and neurological conditions can cause PND.

What is paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND)?

Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND) is when you’re suddenly awakened feeling short of breath. Unlike orthopnea, it doesn’t happen when you’re awake and lying down or reclining, only when you’re asleep.

PND can feel scary, like you can’t breathe or are working hard to get a deep breath. You may gasp for air and cough. It can be particularly jarring because it wakes you suddenly, after an hour or two of sleep. Sitting up helps you feel better within about 10 to 15 minutes.

Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea is pronounced “pair-uh-SIZ-muhl knock-TUR-nuhl DISP-nee-uh.”