TreatmentsThe information in this section describes methods that have been tested through the process of clinical trials to determine their effectiveness. In addition, other treatments (for which no recent clinical trials exist) are widely used in medical practice. Your oncology nurse or other healthcare providers can explain these highly effective measures to you in more detail. They can be used in conjunction with the other methods described in this section.
Most HelpfulClinical studies conducted to date indicate that the most helpful way to manage shortness of breath is with oral or IV immediate-release opioids. These can lower your body's "respiratory drive," which can be one cause of shortness of breath, and provide fast-acting pain relief.
Likely to Be HelpfulLow doses of a benzodiazepine can treat symptoms of anxiety, which can contribute to shortness of breath. Small doses of benzodiazepines given when needed should not cause drug dependence. Sedation may occur at higher doses.
Increasing air flow to the patient, with or without the help of oxygen therapy, can improve symptoms of shortness of breath.
Psychosocial education can guide you to support groups or teach you coping mechanisms and how to manage your symptoms throughout the course of your illness.
Relaxation therapy is a collective term for a number of techniques (including guided imagery) that are used to achieve progressive muscle relaxation. Relaxation therapy can reduce many cancer treatment-related side effects, including dyspnea.
Restriction of fluids can keep the body from being overloaded with fluids that it can't absorb or eliminate, which is one cause of dyspnea.
Certain medications,such as scopolamine, hyoscyamine, or atropine, can decrease the amount of secretions that your respiratory tract produces. Such secretions can contribute to feeling short of breath.
Ventilator support is a way for a machine to take over the work of breathing for you. This may be done short-term for cases of acute respiratory distress that can be reversed.
Not Enough EvidenceAcupuncture is a family of procedures involving stimulation of anatomical locations on the skin. This may be done using slender hair-width needles, with or without the application of very mild electrical stimulation. Other forms of acupuncture use magnets or direct pressure applied to certain areas of the body.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an action-oriented form of psychosocial therapy that seeks to correct wrong or maladaptive thinking or behaviors.
Nebulized medications are inhaled directly into the lungs. This is done by rapidly passing air through a liquid to produce extremely small particles that can be inhaled and absorbed rapidly. A variety of drugs that lessen dyspnea symptoms can be nebulized-including analgesics and diuretics.
Extended-release morphine can help eliminate break-through pain, which can be one cause of dyspnea.
Diaphragmatic breathing
Also called abdominal breathing or deep belly breathing, this way of breathing deeply flexes your diaphragm—as opposed to breathing shallowly by flexing your rib cage. When you breathe in using this technique, your abdomen expands (rather than your chest).
Pursed-lip breathing
In this technique, you slowly breathe in through your nose, keeping your mouth closed. Then you pucker your lips (like you’re going to whistle) and breathe out slowly. As you breathe out, you use your stomach muscles to help push the air out through your lips. This provides pressure, but it is not a forced exhalation.
Intravenous (IV)
occurring inside or entering a vein, such as when a healthcare provider enters your vein with a needle
Opioid
A type of drug used to reduce pain
Benzodiazepine
a type of sedative that increases the nervous system’s affinity for a specific type of neurotransmitter
Sedation
a state of relaxation that may be caused with certain drugs
