The Best Sleeping Positions for Shortness of Breath (2025)

Shortness of breath can be a daunting experience, compromising the quality of an individual’s daily life and rest.

While there are various causes and treatments for this condition, simple adjustments in sleeping position can make a significant difference for many sufferers.

Exploring the optimal sleeping positions is crucial not just for those diagnosed with respiratory conditions but also for those who occasionally experience breathlessness.

In this article, we will delve into the benefits of various sleeping positions, providing guidance on how to achieve a restful night without the interference of breathlessness.

What is the Best Sleeping Position for Shortness of Breath?

Elevating the head and upper body by sleeping on an incline or using extra pillows can help alleviate shortness of breath. This position aids in reducing diaphragmatic pressure and improving lung expansion, facilitating easier breathing. Side-sleeping, particularly on the right, may also benefit some individuals.

Best Sleeping Positions for Shortness of Breath

1. Head elevated
2. Lying on your side; pillow between your legs
3. Lying on your back, head elevated, and a pillow between your knees

1. Head Elevated

Elevating the head and upper body while sleeping can aid in easing the symptoms of shortness of breath.

By using a wedge pillow or stacking multiple pillows, this position facilitates gravity’s assistance in reducing pressure on the diaphragm, enhancing lung capacity, and making breathing less laborious.

This method is particularly beneficial for individuals with conditions like acid reflux, which can exacerbate breathlessness.

2. Lying on your Side; Pillow between your Legs

Sleeping on one’s side can help open up the airways and optimize lung function. Placing a pillow between the legs ensures proper spinal alignment, which indirectly can promote freer airflow.

This position might be especially beneficial for individuals with conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea, where the tongue and soft palate can collapse backward, obstructing the airway.

The pillow between the legs also aids in reducing any hip or lower back strain.

3. Lying on your Back, Head Elevated, and a Pillow between your Knees

Combining the benefits of back sleeping and head elevation, this position allows for maximum lung expansion.

Elevating the head makes it easier for the lungs to fill with air, and placing a pillow between the knees while on your back ensures the spine remains in a neutral position.

This minimizes stress on the lower back and facilitates more relaxed breathing.

This posture can be helpful for those with certain respiratory conditions or those who experience shortness of breath due to heart issues.

How to Choose the Best Sleep Position for Breathing Problems

Choosing the best sleep position for breathing problems is essential to ensure a restful night’s sleep and alleviate respiratory distress.

Here’s a guide on how to determine the best sleep position based on specific breathing issues:

Evaluate the Underlying Condition

• Sleep Apnea: People with obstructive sleep apnea often find relief when sleeping on their side (especially the left side). This position can prevent the tongue and soft palate from collapsing backward into the throat, which blocks the airway.
• Chronic Heart Failure or Pulmonary Edema: Elevating the head and torso can be beneficial. This incline helps prevent fluid from accumulating in the lungs, thus aiding in easier breathing.
• Asthma and GERD: Elevating the head can reduce the chance of acid reflux, which can trigger asthma symptoms. It’s also recommended to avoid sleeping on the back, as this can exacerbate reflux.

Trial and Error:

• Experiment with different positions to find which one feels most comfortable and eases breathing difficulties. Some people benefit from specialized pillows or adjustable beds that allow for a customizable incline.

Maintain Spinal Alignment:

• While choosing a position for breathing comfort, it’s equally essential to ensure spinal alignment to prevent other musculoskeletal issues. For side sleepers, placing a pillow between the knees can help. For back sleepers, a pillow under the knees can relieve pressure on the lower back.

Optimize Your Bedding:

• Choose hypoallergenic pillows and bedding, especially if allergies exacerbate your breathing issues. Regularly clean and replace them to reduce allergen exposure.

Seek Medical Advice:

• If you’re unsure about the best position or if the adjustments don’t seem to help, consult with a healthcare professional or respiratory therapist. They can offer guidance tailored to your specific condition.
• For severe cases, a sleep study might be recommended to monitor and analyze breathing patterns during sleep.

Consider Additional Therapies:

• If positioning alone doesn’t help, you might benefit from continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) machines for conditions like sleep apnea.

Environment Matters:

• Ensure your bedroom is well-ventilated. Using air purifiers can help reduce allergens, while maintaining a comfortable room temperature and humidity level can also assist in easing breathing problems.

Summary: By paying close attention to your body and understanding the cause of your breathing problems, you can optimize your sleep position for a better night’s rest. Always prioritize comfort and consult a professional for persistent issues.

Causes of Shortness of Breath While Sleeping

Shortness of breath while sleeping, or nocturnal dyspnea, can be distressing and might indicate an underlying health concern. Several potential causes include:

• Sleep Apnea: The most common form, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), involves the throat muscles intermittently relaxing and blocking the airway during sleep. Central sleep apnea, on the other hand, happens when the brain fails to send the proper signals to muscles that control breathing.
• Heart Failure: Fluid may accumulate in the lungs when the heart doesn’t pump blood efficiently, causing shortness of breath, especially when lying down.
• Asthma: This inflammatory lung disease can cause airways to become narrow and inflamed, leading to breathing difficulties. Nocturnal asthma specifically refers to the worsening of asthma symptoms at night.
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): This group of lung diseases, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, can cause breathing difficulties, particularly during the night.
• Pulmonary Edema: This condition involves excess fluid in the lungs, making it harder to breathe. It can be caused by heart conditions or other factors.
• Panic Disorders and Anxiety: Panic attacks or high anxiety levels can cause hyperventilation and a feeling of breathlessness, sometimes waking individuals from sleep.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD):  Stomach acid can flow back into the esophagus while sleeping, leading to symptoms like coughing, choking, or shortness of breath.
• Pulmonary Embolism: A sudden blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in the lungs, typically due to blood clots, can result in sudden and severe breathlessness.
• Pneumonia: An infection that inflames the air sacs in the lungs can cause difficulty in breathing, especially when lying down.
• Pleural Effusion: This condition involves the build-up of fluid between the layers of tissue that line the lungs and chest cavity.
• Neuromuscular Disorders: Conditions like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or muscular dystrophy can weaken respiratory muscles, leading to breathing difficulties.

Remember: It’s essential for anyone experiencing shortness of breath while sleeping to seek medical advice. A healthcare professional can provide an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment recommendations.

FAQs About Shortness of Breath During Sleep

Does Lying Down Help with Shortness of Breath?

Lying down can sometimes exacerbate shortness of breath, especially if an individual has heart failure or certain lung conditions.

For some, elevating the head and upper body can provide relief. However, the effect varies depending on the individual and the underlying cause of their breathing difficulty.

Can You Sleep with Shortness of Breath?

Sleeping with shortness of breath can be challenging and uncomfortable. It’s essential to identify and address the root cause for effective relief.

Some people may benefit from positional adjustments, while others might need medical intervention. If someone frequently experiences breathlessness at night, they should consult with a healthcare professional.

Can COPD Cause Sleeping Problems?

Yes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can lead to sleeping problems. People with COPD may experience nocturnal coughing, lower oxygen levels, and difficulty in finding a comfortable sleeping position, all of which can disrupt sleep.

Moreover, medications used to treat COPD can sometimes cause insomnia or restlessness.

What Is the Best Sleeping Position for COPD?

For individuals with COPD, elevating the head and upper body is often recommended. This can be achieved by using a wedge pillow or by adjusting the bed’s head to a higher position.

Side-sleeping, particularly on the right side, can also help in reducing the pressure on the lungs and aid in easier breathing.

As always, COPD patients should work closely with their healthcare providers to determine the best sleep solutions tailored to their needs.

Does Asthma Make Sleep Apnea Worse?

Asthma and sleep apnea are distinct conditions, but there’s evidence suggesting that having asthma can increase the risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea.

Inflammation or other changes in the airway related to asthma might contribute to the onset or worsening of sleep apnea.

Furthermore, disrupted sleep due to asthma symptoms might lead to patterns consistent with sleep apnea. If someone has both conditions, managing asthma well may reduce the severity of sleep apnea.

What Causes Shortness of Breath When Lying Down?

Shortness of breath when lying down, known medically as orthopnea, can be due to several conditions.

Common causes include heart failure (where the heart can’t pump blood effectively), pulmonary edema (fluid accumulation in the lungs), and certain respiratory conditions.

Gravity causes fluid to pool in the lungs when a person is lying down, leading to difficulty breathing.

Does Sleeping Upright Help with Shortness of Breath?

Yes, for many people experiencing shortness of breath, especially due to heart or lung conditions, sleeping in an upright or semi-upright position can help.

This position can reduce the pressure on the diaphragm, improve lung expansion, and prevent fluid from accumulating in the lower parts of the lungs.

Some people use wedge pillows or adjustable beds to achieve this elevated position.

What is the Best Sleeping Position for Better Breathing?

Elevating the head and upper body can facilitate better breathing for many individuals, especially those with respiratory or cardiac issues.

Side-sleeping, particularly on the left side, can also promote better airflow and reduce obstructions from the tongue and soft palate.

However, the best position might vary based on the individual’s specific health conditions, so it’s always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized guidance.

Final Thoughts

Finding the right sleeping position can play a pivotal role in alleviating shortness of breath during the night.

Whether the cause is a chronic condition, temporary illness, or other factors, understanding and adjusting one’s sleeping posture can pave the way for uninterrupted and rejuvenating sleep.

It’s essential to remember that while these recommendations can provide relief, they are not a replacement for professional medical advice.

Individuals experiencing persistent or severe breathlessness should consult a healthcare professional to address the underlying causes and receive tailored guidance.

Yet, with these insights into sleeping positions, we hope to offer some initial steps towards better nightly rest for those battling shortness of breath.