Mechanisms of dyspnea in chronic lung disease.

The article discusses the role of hyperinflation in dyspnea associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), the effect of pulmonary stretch receptor stimulation on intensity of dyspnea and the effect of emotions on global ratings of dyspnea intensity. Among other recommendations, the role of emotions in dyspnea need to be studied further with the findings that depression and anxiety are common in many respiratory diseases.