Nocturnal paroxysmal dyspnoea is a condition in which dyspnoea occurs at night and is more severe. This is due to increased vagal tension after sleep at night, constriction of the small bronchi and increased airway resistance, as well as reduced central sensitivity to afferent stimuli after a good night’s sleep. Only when pulmonary stasis is severe does the patient feel shortness of breath and wake up.
Patients with severe nocturnal paroxysmal dyspnoea may develop pulmonary oedema, which manifests as severe dyspnoea. A detailed examination should be performed to identify the cause so that the cause can be treated aggressively.