Palliative Care (Shortness of breath)

What is Palliative Care (Shortness of breath) ❓

 Palliative care is treatment given to improve the quality of life of patients with serious illness and reduce any discomfort

 Dyspnoea is shortness of breath/breathlessness: the feeling that it is difficult to breath 💨

 Causes: cancers and/or associated treatment, lung issues/conditions, anxiety or heart problems 💔

What are the Symptoms of Breathlessness ❓

 Difficulty breathing

 May cause:

 Coughing/wheezing 🗣

 Pain

 Loss of appetite 🍎

 Fatigue

 Anxiety/distress

 Sleeping problems 😴

How do you Diagnose Breathlessness ❓

 Medical assessment

 Further investigation into cause e.g. blood/lung tests, scans 🏥

How do you Treat Breathlessness ❓

 Simple measures: keep cool, open a window/turn on a fan ❄️

 Relaxation and breathing techniques

 Morphine, steroids and/or sedatives may be required 💊

 An inhaler

 Oxygen therapy 😷

Why should I Worry about Breathlessness ❓

 May affect quality of life, for example, due to reduced mobility 🏃‍♀️