Breathlessness

Barbara Mackie and Jo Lenton

Community Specialist Palliative Care Nurses

Breathlessness

Breathlessness• Breathlessness is an uncomfortable sensation or

awareness of breathing.• Subjective – measuring lung function does not correlate

with sensation or severity of breathlessness• A complex experience of mind and body that is likely to

progress with disease severity• Significant correlation with impaired quality of life and poor

survival. Effects Patients and Carers.• A common complex distressing symptom at the end of life

Prevalence of Breathlessness in cancer

• The prevalence of breathlessness varies with the primary tumour site;

• Breathlessness occurs as a symptom most frequently in lung cancer, where it might affect 75% of people with primary disease of the lung, bronchus and trachea (Muers & Round 1993).

Breathlessness in non-malignant disease

• For patients with COPD, intractable breathlessness develops late in the course of the disease, gradually increasing in severity over a period of years in the majority of people.

• There is a long pre-clinical phase when patients may not have any respiratory symptoms at all, although lung damage exists.

Breathlessness in non-malignant disease

• There is then a protracted period of gradual decline punctuated by severe exacerbations, which may be life-threatening and require inpatient management.

• Breathlessness tends to be associated with exertion.

• However at end of life it may be present at rest.

• What are the Causes of Breathlessness?

Psychological Aspect of Breathlessness

Assessment of breathlessness

• Listen/Observe• What does it mean to the patient / carer?• Onset • Triggers / What eases it?• Levels of significance – during activity, in• different positions, at rest• Pattern of breathing, colour, respiratory rate• Are they anxious?• Oxygen saturations

Manage reversible causes optimally according to patients wishes

• Consider active treatment of:• Infection• Pleural effusion• Pneumothorax• PE• Airway obstruction SCVO• Anaemia • CCF

Non Pharmacological Management• Positioning• Airflow - use of fan /window• Relaxation / Distraction/ Reassurance • Energy conservation / Pacing • Controlled Breathing techniques /physio• Loose clothing• Mouth Care

Comfortable Positions if short of breath

Breathing Techniques

• Start with position of ease• Relax shoulders / upper chest• Diaphragmatic ‘tummy’ breathing

• Breath out twice as long as breath in• Pursed lips on breathing out if needed•

Relaxation

• Time and calm environment essential

• Relax and Breathe CD

• Visual imagery

• ‘Calming hand’

• Touch across back

• Distraction

. Pacing activities

• Encourage activity• Allow time for tasks• Starting and stopping with rest intervals• Inspiration: expiration ratio during activity• Use of aids – stair lift etc• Adapting functional tasks, e.g. Ironing sitting

down

Pharmacological Management

• Opioids• Opioids are the most effective pharmacological agents for

the relief of dyspnoea• Oral morphine (normal release) 2.5mg (if Opioid

naive/elderly and renal impairment) • Gradual titration upwards according to response• High level evidence supports:• Low dose slow release oral morphine for opioid naïve (10-

20mg/24hours),

• .

Pharmacological management

• Benzodiazepines • Lorazepam 0.5-1mg sublingual (SL) - rapid relief during

panic attacks• Diazepam (oral) for longer term management• Midazolam 2.5mg subcutaneous 5 -10mg in Syringe

driver over 24hrs• Above medication are sedative, therefore should be monitored

carefully. However in the terminal stages of illness the benefits usually out-weigh the risks.

Pharmacological Management• Oxygen therapy only where appropriate (mixed evidence,

check sats if hypoxic resting O2 below 90% 2l/min)• Steroids• Bronchodilators nebulised (Salbutomol 2.5 5mg prn)• Antibiotics• Nebulised saline to thin secretions or Carbocisteine if

secretions difficult to expectorate and exacerbating breathing difficulties

• Blood transfusion

End of life secretions

• Often referred to as ‘death rattle’• Caused when a patient’s coughing and

swallowing reflex is impaired or absent, causing fluids to collect

• Not easily relieved by drug therapy once established

• Treatment should therefore be started at first sign of rattle

Non-pharmacological management of secretions

• Re-positioning of the patient by tilting side to side, or tipping bed ‘head up’ to reduce noise

• Management of halitosis with frequent mouth care and aromatherapy

• Discrete management of oral secretions mouth care – oral hygiene• Suction not advised, except when secretions are excessive• Reassurance to family that the noise is due to secretions, and not

causing suffocation, choking or distress• Reduce oral fluids if at risk of aspiration

Pharmacological management of secretions

• Hyoscine Butylbromide (Buscopan)

• 60- 240mg/24hr s/driver, prn dose SC 20mg hrly

• If not effective, discuss with palliative care team who may consider -

• Glycopyronium Bromide (Glycopyrolate)

• 400-2400mcg/24hr s/driver or prn dose 200mcg

• NB: Hyoscine Hydrobromide was historically drug of choice, but not currently recommended due to side effects of sedation and confusion

References

• DAVIS.C(1998) Breathlessness,cough and other respiratory problems.In: FALLON.N.O’NEILL.B(eds)ABC of Palliative Care BMJ Books. London pp 8-15

• MUERS.M. ROUND.C (1993)Palliation of symptoms in Non –Small Cell Cancer:A Study by the Yorkshire Regional Cancer Organisation Thoracic Group. Thorax.48 (7) 339-349

• Sheffield Palliative Care Formulary 3rd Edition

Thank you for listening