Clinics in chest medicine
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Clinics in chest medicine · Sep 1990
ReviewDyspnea in the patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Etiology and management.
We have summarized much of the known information regarding the pathogenesis of dyspnea in the COPD patient and have reviewed a great many of the therapeutic options that have been investigated. It should be obvious that we are really in the early stages of our understanding about this symptom, and that we know very little about how to decide which treatment options are likely to succeed in any individual. At this time, there is no substitute for a careful assessment of each treatment modality that is instituted using a measurement tool, and the value of a comprehensive assessment as outlined cannot be overemphasized.
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Any COPD patient with symptoms is a candidate for pulmonary rehabilitation. A careful assessment of the individual to determine the patient's precise disease process and needs is essential to outlining an appropriate treatment program. Following the sequence described in the ATS Statement on Pulmonary Rehabilitation included in the appendix to this article provides the best potential for successfully returning the patient to the highest level of function possible. An increase in the availability of pulmonary rehabilitation programs should allow more COPD patients to participate in this process, resulting in an enhanced ability to carry out daily activities, an improved quality of life, and a reduction in the long-term costs of caring for such individuals.