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

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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:
- Albuterol inhaler
  - Opens up airway
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

References

1 Henson LA, Maddocks M, Evans C, Davidson M, Hicks S, Higginson IJ. Palliative Care and the Management of Common Distressing Symptoms in Advanced Cancer: Pain, Breathlessness, Nausea and Vomiting, and Fatigue. J Clin Oncol. 2020 Mar 20;38(9):905-914.

Created: March 17, 2023 Updated: March 17, 2023