To begin with, sure, this is a tongue twister; I had to repeat it a few times before I got it right, not to mention that it sounds like a terrifying zombie sickness!
So, what exactly does that imply? To put it another way, paroxymal refers to a sudden outburst or attack, nocturnal refers to the night, and dyspnea refers to shortness of breath.
Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea (PND) is the sensation of being short of oxygen while sleeping. The lack of oxygen leads a person to cough and wheeze, which raises diastolic pressure.
It isn’t a zombie disease, but it is frightening to most people. Congestive heart failure can cause PND, which is a common symptom.
A person suffering from a PND will require quick medical attention; calling an ambulance is the first step, but additional medications such as nitroglycerin and diuretics may be used to alleviate the symptoms.
PND has symptoms that are extremely similar to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA), however it is not a different condition. PND, on the other hand, is a severe clinical condition linked to sudden heart failure.
During sleep, people with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome have a considerable drop in respiratory tract muscular tone, which contributes to airway blockage. This results in apnea episodes, in which breathing pauses altogether.
The oxygen content of the blood declines during these pauses, and the respiratory centre receives signals that the tissues are hypoxic.
The oxygen level in the blood reduces to the bare minimum after 10-20 seconds, causing the body to react to the circumstance. Microstimulation of the brain enhances upper respiratory tract muscular tone, which aids inhalation.
The sleeper’s breathing stays frequent and deep for some seconds after that. Shortness of breath is also experienced at this time, however the person may not wake up.
Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea Causes?
Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea is common among elderly people with heart problems, however it can still happen to anyone who suffers from:
- left ventricular failure in a period of exacerbation;
- acute myocardial infarction;
- acute myocarditis;
- aneurysms of the heart;
- postpartum cardiomyopathy;
- cardiosclerosis;
- mitral stenosis;
- aortic insufficiency;
- the presence of a large intracardiac thrombus or tumor.
The exacerbation factors that can cause the PND episode in a person with the medical issues listed above are:
- pneumonia;
- kidney damage;
- disorders of cerebral circulation;
- emotional overwork;
- big dinner for the night;
- hypervolemia;
- Rapid changing from vertical to horizontal body position.
What are the Symptoms of Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea?
The most common symptoms of PND are the following:
- intermittent sleep;
- dyspnea with physical exercises;
- dyspnea at night in a lying position, but relieving in a sitting position;
- a cough with wheezing;
- production of sputum, sometimes with blood;
- whistling in the lungs;
- a constant sense of lack of air;
- pain in the chest;
- arrhythmia;
- feet swelling;
- fatigue and drowsiness.
A typical episode goes like this: a person wakes up from a nightmare scenario with a tight chest and a strong urge to sit down, and their breathing is deep and rapid.
Shortness of breath is caused by the narrowing of the bronchioles, making it difficult for the person to talk. When someone is sitting, they normally lean forward slightly.
The spasm of surface vessels causes their skin to turn pale, and they may break out in a sweat. PND can begin abruptly and end abruptly in less than half an hour. When the person wakes up in the morning, they may still have dyspnea.
Why does Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea cause these Symptoms?
Body fluid begins to transfer from tissues into the blood during sleep in a person with cardiac difficulties, which had accumulated in the legs or abdominal cavity during the day.
Because this procedure takes time, there would be no acute symptoms after falling asleep. Paroxysmal dyspnea develops gradually after a period of time has passed after falling asleep
Because the left side of the heart does not function at full capacity in persons with heart failure, the narrow circle of blood circulation cannot handle the extra volume of fluid.
This volume remains in the lungs’ extra vessels. This extra volume subsequently flows from the arteries into the lung tissue, causing interstitial pulmonary edoema to develop.
Acute pulmonary edoema, which arises as a result of increased pressure in the pulmonary capillaries and leads to alveolar edoema, is the most severe form of paroxysmal dyspnea.
The sudden lack of air, moist wheezing, and bloody sputum are all common symptoms of pulmonary edoema. Acute pulmonary edoema can be fatal in a matter of minutes.
How to Treat Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea?
Before treatment, it is crucial to perform a thorough medical assessment to determine the cause of the paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea.
An appropriate examination, exploration of medical history, chest X-ray, ECG, ultrasound of the heart and Doppler of the heart is crucial for an accurate diagnosis.
Because of the significant danger of developing pulmonary edoema during an acute paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea episode, it is critical to summon an ambulance.
Maintaining calm, placing the individual in a semi-sitting position, and immersing their feet in a hot bath are all examples of first aid for the person.
Put nitroglycerin beneath the person’s tongue and give it to them every 5-10 minutes. Analgesics may be given if the attack is accompanied by pain and dyspnea. Depending on the source of the ailment, additional treatment may be required.
Stopping smoking, losing weight in obese people, and lowering blood pressure are all general recommendations for reducing paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea.
A strict diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables is also recommended, as is avoiding overly salted foods. Oxygen treatment is an effective way to control the disease that may be used at home as well as in the hospital.
The early treatment of chronic coronary artery disease and heart failure, arterial hypertension, adherence to the water-salt diet, and the avoidance of infectious infections are all part of disease prevention.
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