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Dissociation between dyspnea and respiratory effort. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1992; 46:(5)1222-5

London: Health Professions Council; 2007

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Reliability of verbal descriptors of dyspnea and their relationship with perceived intensity and unpleasantness. G Ital Med Lav Ergon. 2006; 28:(3)83-8

A Model of Chronic Dyspnea. Journal of Nursing Scholarship. 1999; 31:(3)203-306

Anxiety and Depression in COPD.2008

Am J Resp Crit Care Med. 159:(1)321-40

The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD). 2009. http//www.goldcopd.com/Guidelineitem.asp?l1=2&l2=1&intId=2003 (acessed 20 June 2012)

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Does understanding words used by the breathless COPD patient enhance therapeutic care?

04 July 2012
Other
02 July 2012
Volume 4 · Issue 7

Abstract

Shortness of breath, dyspnea and breathlessness are collective terms to describe the awareness of inadequate gas exchange within the respiratory system.Varying mechanisms, behavioural and physiological changes are caused by this ventilation-perfusion mismatch. This complex sensation encompasses manydiverse concepts.

The spectrum of language and words used as a consequence of this sensation varies from quality and intensity to emotions and feelings. Matching the phrases to the cause supports understanding.

Current studies reviewed produced clusters of verbal descriptors which reflect the multi-dimensional input as a consequence of being out of breath. Using these clusters has produced a comprehensive list of twelve words known as ‘The Dyspnea 12’ which when used, quantifies the severity of this debilitating and extremely distressing symptom.

Could these verbal descriptors be used to aid the assessment and treatment of their cause in service users and provide a more holistic view to a widespread problem?

Lifestyle, modern living and suffering through health and disease have come to infuence our life expectancy. Understanding human processes and pathophysiology are fundamental to improving life experiences and ensuring continuing health:

‘Lung disease is one of the major causes for human mortality and morbidity in the world today’ The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD), (GOLD, 2009).

‘Lung disease is one of the major causes for human mortality and morbidity in the world today’ The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD), (GOLD, 2009).

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a debilitating disease of the lower airways of the respiratory system and is predicted to be the third leading cause of death by the year 2020 (Jolly and Moxam, 2009)

‘Respiratory disease is the most common illness responsible for an emergency admission to hospital’ The British Lung Foundation (BLF), (BLF, 2007)

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Shortness of breath
Dyspnea
Breathlessness
Verbal descriptors
COPD