What causes night sweats and shortness of breath?
Patient: My husband has copd. Abuteral 2 times a day and advair as needed. For the last couple of nights he wakes up during the night with night sweats and a shorness of breath.  He het up does his advair and goes back to sleep.  Is the copd getting worse or something else? Doctor: Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.I can understand your concern. Night time sweating and breathlessness in COPD patient is suggestive of worsening of disease. In my opinion, he needs higher and longer acting inhaled treatment for better control of COPD. So get done PFT (Pulmonary Function Test).PFT will tell you about severity of the disease and treatment is based on severity only. He will mostly improve with long acting inhaled bronchodilators (formoterol or salmeterol) and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) (budesonide or fluticasone).Don't worry, he will be alright. Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wishing good health to your husband. Thanks.