Some people find that their wheezing worsens when lying down. This can occur because lying down may impair the chest’s ability to rise and fall, making breathing difficult.

Lying down may also cause problems with mucus drainage from the nose, which could trigger a cough.

Wheezing is a common symptom of asthma, allergies, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and obstructive sleep apnea.

A woman wearing a black top experiencing wheezing when lying down on a bed.Share on Pinterest
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Asthma is a chronic condition involving coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath.

It is common for asthma symptoms to affect people at night. This is known as nocturnal asthma.

The symptoms of nocturnal asthma can include:

Doctors can prescribe preventive inhalers to improve breathing. People can use these regularly to maintain reduced asthma symptoms.

Emergency inhalers can help with sudden and sometimes severe symptoms. Those with allergies may find benefits from identifying and removing the allergen and taking an antihistamine.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a serious medical condition that causes a decrease or sudden halt in airflow while sleeping.

OSA occurs due to the relaxation of the pharyngeal muscles and soft tissues, which are at the back of the throat. This blocks the airways, disrupting breathing.

The symptoms of sleep apnea include:

  • frequent loud, disruptive snoring
  • fragmented sleep
  • excessive sleepiness during the day
  • other people noticing an interruption in breathing during sleep

Treatment for OSA may include wearing a device over the nose and mouth at night to help keep the airways open.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines are often the most suitable option, but in complex cases where a CPAP machine is unsuitable, surgery may be necessary.

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions. In addition to causing emotional changes, anxiety can cause physical symptoms, including:

If a person feels anxious at night, the additional pressure of gravity on the chest may lead to bronchospasm — a narrowing of the airways that can cause a wheezing noise.

Treatment typically involves therapy but can also include medications to manage symptoms.

Another potential cause for wheezing is obesity and obesity-related complications.

Obesity can cause physical changes to the lungs and airways that cause asthma-like symptoms such as dyspnea and wheezing, which may worsen at night.

Obesity can also cause OSA and obesity hypoventilation syndrome, or Pickwickian syndrome, which can affect breathing.

Typically, a person breathes in oxygen and exhales carbon dioxide. Obesity hypoventilation syndrome causes someone to have excess carbon dioxide and not enough oxygen in their blood.

Symptoms of obesity hypoventilation syndrome include:

People can reach a moderate weight by making dietary changes, doing regular exercise, and treating any underlying conditions that may be contributing to excess weight.

Weight management resources

To discover more evidence-based information and resources for weight management, visit our dedicated hub.

Bronchitis refers to the inflammation of the bronchi, which are the large air passages inside the lungs.

The symptoms of acute bronchitis include:

  • cough
  • coughing up phlegm
  • wheezing or difficulty breathing
  • low grade fever

Acute bronchitis that occurs due to a virus will often get better on its own. The cough may last 10 to 20 days.

Treatments for bronchitis will vary depending on the cause. For viral infections, doctors typically recommend rest and treatments that can reduce a cough.

This could include throat lozenges, hot tea, or over-the-counter (OTC) cough medications.

GERD occurs when stomach contents, including stomach acid, flow back into the esophagus, or food pipe. The symptoms of GERD include:

  • acid reflux
  • heartburn
  • regurgitation of food
  • bad breath
  • chronic sore throat
  • a recurring or chronic cough

Symptoms may also worsen at night or when lying down, as stomach acid can flow into the esophagus more easily.

Lifestyle changes, such as avoiding foods that contribute to flare-ups, can reduce GERD symptoms. Doctors can also prescribe medications to reduce stomach acid production.

COPD is a condition that progressively makes it more difficult to breathe. In the United States, the main cause is smoking.

The symptoms of COPD include:

  • chronic cough that produces phlegm
  • wheezing, whistling, or a squeaky sound when breathing
  • shortness of breath
  • chest tightness

Some people with COPD have different symptoms to these. Some can also have mild symptoms that they do not notice to begin with.

There is no cure for COPD, but there are interventions doctors can recommend to relieve symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.

These include prescribing medications to help open the airways, pulmonary rehabilitation, supplemental oxygen therapy, surgery, and recommending quitting smoking.

Heart failure prevents the heart from pumping enough blood to support organ health and typical breathing.

It is a serious condition that can be fatal. The potential symptoms of heart failure include:

  • shortness of breath
  • persistent cough
  • decreased tolerance for exercise
  • swelling of the limbs and extremities due to fluid overload

Many of these symptoms may not be noticeable until the condition has become advanced.

People can reduce the symptoms of heart failure through medications, such as diuretics, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and aldosterone antagonists.

Some drugs and certain devices, such as implantable cardioverter defibrillators, can prolong a person’s life.

Cardiovascular health resources

Visit our dedicated hub for more research-backed information and in-depth resources on cardiovascular health.

People who experience wheezing when lying down may find it difficult to sleep. To improve quality of sleep, people can try:

  • Avoiding food before bed: People with GERD should aim to eat at least 2 to 3 hours before lying down. This can reduce acid reflux at night, reducing irritation in the esophagus.
  • Avoiding smoking and alcohol: Both smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol make it more likely a person will experience asthma symptoms. They can also worsen acid reflux. Smoking is also a risk factor for COPD.
  • Removing allergens: If a person has asthma or bronchitis due to allergies, identifying and removing allergens that may be present while sleeping could help. For example, if someone allows a pet to sleep on their bed, the dander may cause wheezing at night.
  • Trying decongestants: OTC chest decongestants may help with breathing at night, particularly for people with acute bronchitis.
  • Elevating the head: Elevating the head, neck, and shoulders may help open the airways during sleep, preventing wheezing and reducing acid reflux.
  • Keeping medications nearby: A person can keep medications or inhalers that help with breathing nearby while lying down or sleeping. This allows people to use them as soon as they wake due to wheezing.

People who regularly wheeze while lying down should seek medical attention. Doctors can help pinpoint the exact cause of the wheezing and recommend treatments.

If someone experiences any of the following symptoms, a person needs to dial 911 or the local emergency department:

  • difficulty breathing
  • pain in the chest, arm, neck, or jaw
  • blue or white lips
  • loss of consciousness or difficulty staying awake

Wheezing while lying down is a common symptom of conditions such as asthma. It can also occur due to anxiety at night, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or obesity.

Some people may have a combination of several conditions. For example, those with GERD and asthma may find that acid reflux triggers their asthma symptoms when lying down.

People who experience regular wheezing need to seek medical advice.