Pneumologie
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Dyspnea is a leading symptom in COPD. Bronchodilators (long acting anticholinergics and long acting beta agonists) are the mainstay of medical treatment. Non pharmacological therapies like pulmonary rehabilitation, long-term oxygen therapy or lung volume reduction can help to further improve dyspnea. ⋯ Subsequent doses are titrated to achieve the lowest effective dose based on whether dyspnea relief has been achieved and whether any side effects have developed. This low-dose opioid treatment has been demonstrated to be safe for symptom reduction in severe COPD and is not associated with increased hospital admissions or deaths. Physicians should offer a trial of low-dose oral opioids to patients with refractory dyspnea that affects their daily activities and quality of life.