Breathlessness in advanced disease

Breathlessness can be scary. It affects millions of people worldwide and is a common reason to seek urgent medical care. Some causes of acute breathlessness are reversible or partially reversible. Chronic breathlessness persists despite treatment of the underlying causes. Supporting people with breathlessness associated with advanced disease includes: recognizing the last months, weeks and days of life; understanding what matters to them and supporting them to live well; anticipating what could happen; supporting them through their illness in a way that feels right to them; helping them to be comfortable, including in the last days of life; and supporting those close to them. The ‘Breathing, Thinking, Functioning’ model can be used to explore patterns and opportunities for people to manage their breathlessness differently.