DYSPNEA IN PALLIATIVE CARE

Course overview

DYSPNEA IS A TROUBLING SYMPTOM FOR MANY TERMINALLY-ILL PATIENTS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS. IT IS COMMON IN MANY ADVANCED DISEASES AND IS FREQUENTLY EXPERIENCED AT THE END OF LIFE. THE AMERICAN THORACIC SOCIETY DESCRIBES DYSPNEA AS SUBJECTIVE BREATHING DISCOMFORT AND SENSATIONS IN VARYING INTENSITIES THAT A PATIENT CAN DISTINCTLY QUALIFY. DYSPNEA ORIGINATES FROM MULTIPLE PHYSIOLOGICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, SOCIAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL CIRCUMSTANCES, CAUSING SECONDARY PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIORAL RESPONSES. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS CAUSES AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR TERMINALLY ILL PATIENTS WITH DYSPNEA AND HIGHLIGHTS THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM'S ROLE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THESE PATIENTS.