Side Effect: Shortness of Breath
What is Shortness of Breath?
Shortness of breath is a distressing feeling of breathlessness and may be can be caused by cancer, its treatment, lung injury, or infection. It can be frightening for both patients and their family members and caregivers.
What does Shortness of Breath look like?
Shortness of breath may be mild or severe, and may or may not be associated with low oxygen saturations. It may be accompanied by deeper or faster breathing as one attempts to take in more oxygen.
Shortness of Breath
Click to enlarge
If you are concerned about shortness of breath, a device known as a "pulse oximeter" may be purchased and used at home for the detection of low oxygen saturation
- This device fits comfirtably over your finger and measures your:
- Pulse, also known as the heart rate, with the result reported as beat per minute
- Blood oxygen saturation levels, also known as the "O2 sat," with the result reported as a percentage
- Ask your doctor what oxygen levels warrant emergency medical care and which might be managed with medications and non-drug techniques at home
How to treat Shortness of Breath
Non-Medication strategies for shortness of breath caused by anxiety:
- Body positioning
- Breathing techniques
- Incentive spirometer to strengthen muscles used for breathing
- A poem to recite or short saying that helps with relaxation during an episode of breathlessness
- Music
- Hand-held fan
- Visit our emotional wellness page to learn more
Medications for shortness of breath:
- Bronchodilators inhalers or nebulizers:
- Anticholinergic inhalers or nebulizers:
- Ipratropium, also known as Atrovent®
- Reduces bronchospasm, which may contribute to airway narrowing in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including bronchitis or emphysema.. By doing so, it helps open airway
- Inhaled oxygen:
- Used for those with documented low oxygen saturation
Shortness of breath treatments based upon underlying cause:
- Lung infections - Antimicrobial medications
- Collapsed lung - chest tube placement to restore lung function
- Pleural effusion
- Treat underlying cause if known (treat infection or stop medication causing it)
- Diuretic medications, also known as water pills
- Chest tube placement to remove fluid
- Recurrent pleural effusion - Pleurodesis
Created: March 17, 2023
Updated: March 17, 2023