Lung disease can be caused by problems with your airways (breathing tubes), the lung tissue, or the circulation to and from your lungs.There are many types of chronic lung disease, such as:
What are the symptoms of lung disease?
Chronic lung disease can cause:
- breathing problems (shortness of breath)
- cough
- difficulty eating and sleeping
- anxiety and mood problems
- mobility problems (too short of breath to walk very far)
How does palliative and end-of-life care help?
Your healthcare team may include a
Respirologist (lung specialist), your family doctor,
respiratory therapist, nurses, and care aides. Your palliative and end-of-life care team works with you and your healthcare team to help coordinate your care, even in the hospital.
As your lung disease becomes severe, different types of medicine can be helpful. Opioids (for example, morphine) may be used to treat pain or shortness of breath and help you feel more comfortable. Other medicines are used to manage anxiety, decrease a cough, or help you sleep better.
If you have decided on your goals for care and understand how symptoms are managed, you and your family may feel less stress. Your palliative and end-of-life care team can help you with these decisions.
Your palliative and end-of-life care team can also help:
- answer questions you or your family have
- manage your symptoms
- give emotional support to you and your family
- find other supports if you need a higher level of care (for example, go from home to supported living or hospital)
