Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea
Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea (PND) is a medical condition characterized by sudden and severe shortness of breath that awakens a person from sleep, typically with a feeling of suffocation.
Pronunciation
Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea is pronounced as puh-rok-siz-muhl nok-turn-uhl disp-nee-uh.
Etymology
The term "Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea" is derived from the Greek words "paroxysmos" meaning sudden attack, "nykt-" meaning night, and "dyspnoia" meaning difficulty breathing.
Symptoms
The primary symptom of Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea is sudden, severe shortness of breath that typically occurs a few hours after falling asleep. Other symptoms may include coughing, wheezing, and a feeling of anxiety or panic.
Causes
Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea is often associated with congestive heart failure, where the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently. Other potential causes include pulmonary edema, sleep apnea, and certain forms of asthma.
Treatment
Treatment for Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea typically involves addressing the underlying cause. This may include medications to manage heart failure or asthma, lifestyle changes such as weight loss or quitting smoking, and in some cases, use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine during sleep.
Related Terms
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