Postprandial Nocturnal Dyspnea (PND)
Cure An Care Homoeopathic Clinic,
Kanjikuzhy, Idukki, Kerala
Definition:
-
Sudden shortness of breath occurring at night, a few hours after meals, often waking the patient from sleep.
-
Commonly associated with left-sided heart failure, GERD, or diaphragmatic dysfunction.
Etiology & Pathology:
-
Left ventricular failure → pulmonary venous congestion.
-
Increased blood flow to lungs in recumbent position.
-
Gastric distension after meals aggravates diaphragm pressure.
Clinical Features:
-
Breathlessness at night post-meal.
-
Relief by sitting upright or walking.
-
Cough with frothy sputum, anxiety, sweating.
-
May accompany cardiac asthma.
Homoeopathic Therapeutics:
-
Arsenicum album – Anxiety, suffocative attacks at night, worse lying down.
-
Digitalis purpurea – Dyspnea with weak, irregular heart; relief by sitting up.
-
Lachesis – Aggravation after meals, choking sensation at night.
-
Spongia tosta – Dry suffocative cough, worse lying down.
-
Carbo vegetabilis – Great flatulence, gastric distension, air hunger.
General Management:
-
Small frequent meals.
-
Avoid lying down soon after food.
-
Elevate head during sleep.