Definition

• Dyspnea is an abnormally uncomfortable awareness of breathing.
  • Principal symptom of diseases affecting the cardiorespiratory system
• Trepopnea is a rare form of dyspnea that occurs in a lateral decubitus position.
  • Most often in patients with heart disease
• Platypnea is dyspnea that occurs only in the upright position.
• Orthopnea is dyspnea occurring in the supine position.
• Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea usually begins 2–4 hours after the onset of sleep and is accompanied by cough, wheezing, and sweating.

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