Dealing with Symptoms - Breathing Difficulty

Fatigue | Eating Problems | Nausea | Hair Loss | Sore Mouth and Throat | Dry Mouth | Sleep Disturbances | Bowel Problems | Anxiety | Depression | Breathing Difficulties

Because mesothelioma affects the lungs, most people afflicted with the disease will experience breathing difficulties.  This is usually caused by a build-up of fluid between the two membranes around the surface of your lungs, otherwise known as pleural effusion.  It may also be caused by fluid in the lungs themselves, by anemia, or from a chest infection.

Rapid breathing and other breathing difficulties are very frightening to the cancer patient.  Most people believe that they will die if they can’t breathe.  If you become anxious about your inability to breathe properly, your problem will become worse.

The most logical way your doctor can help ease your breathing is by supplying you with oxygen.  Your oxygen can go with you wherever you go; in the hospital, at home, or while your out running errands. 

If you’re suffering from pleural effusion, doctors may decide to drain the fluid.  This is done under local anesthetic, using a syringe and tube.  Excessive fluid that keeps returning may need to be controlled by a procedure called pleurodesis, which involves inserting talc between the two membranes around the lungs. The membranes then stick together, so that fluid cannot collect between them.  This is done under general anesthetic.

Small doses of morphine can also be used to control breathing difficulties and make you more comfortable.  Doctors may also provide you with an inhaler or give you regularly scheduled nebulizer treatments.

Radiation therapy focused on the chest area may also create a cough and breathlessness, which could last for several weeks.  Generally caused by inflammation of the lungs, steroid medications should help cure this problem.