The Vicious Cycle of Dyspnea

Dyspnea (disp-nee-ah) is the medical term for shortness of breath. Dyspnea is a complication of chronic lung disease that can seriously affect a person's quality of life. At first, dyspnea occurs with exertion or exercise, but as the lung disease worsens, the shortness of breath occurs more often. One of the problems caused by dyspnea is that the person in your care may begin trying to avoid activity that causes shortness of breath. He may fear trying to do things because he might have more trouble breathing as a result of making the effort. Being unable to catch his breath makes him nervous and frightened, which leads to inactivity. Inactivity and fear can lead to depression and anxiety. When one is anxious it is even harder to breathe. The trick to getting out of this nasty cycle is to help the person in your care work through the fear, and keep trying to get exercise. Exercise will eventually decrease shortness of breath, as well as depression, stress, and anxiety.