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The symptom of breathlessness is well-recognized as part of the presentation of a wide range of conditions. It can be a manifestation of a life-threatening emergency. In the acute medical setting, the priority is to quickly recognize patients who are critically unwell and require emergency treatment. For these individuals, rapid initial assessment and immediate treatment are essential. However, once the symptoms have stabilized, or in a less acute setting, a more thorough assessment is required. Cough is a common respiratory symptom, often part of a symptom complex, which is troublesome for the patient. It is important to recognize worrying associated features to prompt further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information on a toolkit developed by a team of nurses working for the Royal Brompton and Harefield National Health Service Foundation Trust in London, England, to help improve the quality of life of patients struggling with breathlessness. The nurses created a booklet that describes simple non-medical techniques which can be used with medical management to help reduce breathlessness. The Foundation of Nursing Studies funded the development of the toolkit into a booklet.

Breathlessness is one of the most common and difficult symptoms to manage in advanced cancer. Despite the development of non-pharmacological interventions and a shift away from a medical approach to its management, symptom control remains suboptimal. Practitioners need education and support to deliver the best possible care for patients experiencing breathlessness. This article provides an overview of the interventions available to improve quality of life for these patients and explores the need for greater implementation of non-pharmacological interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The disease trajectory in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can be long and uncertain, making it difficult to identify when patients are at the end-stage of the disease. Patients with COPD have been found to experience similar levels of symptom burden to those with lung cancer, yet they are less likely to receive palliative care and treatment with opiates, anxiolytics or antidepressants. This article focuses on pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches to the management of severe breathlessness in patients with end-stage COPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the palliative care of dyspnea in cancer patients. It provides information on the potential causes of dyspnea and evidence-based treatment strategies. It also offers recommendations from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network for managing cancer patients with dyspnea. Information on use of opioids as main therapy for the management of dyspnea and other effective treatment options are provided.