Treatments, Medicines and Complementary Therapies

Pleural tap

This can drain fluid from the area around the lung to allow better expansion of the lung.

Radiotherapy

This can reduce the size of glands in the chest or can treat painful tumour areas in the ribs.

Painkillers

The painkiller morphine can be used to help relieve breathlessness. Morphine is mainly given as tablets, as a drink or by injection.

Other types of painkillers can also be helpful in relieving breathlessness and also reducing the distress it can cause.

Steroids and bronchodilators

These are types of drugs that are often used to help reduce inflammation and spasm in the airways of the lungs, which in turn helps to reduce breathlessness.

Sedatives

These can help to relieve panic and medicines can be given to reduce the anxiety that breathlessness can cause.

Oxygen

A cylinder of oxygen with a mask can be helpful to use, particularly after activities needing a lot of exertion. Your GP can organise oxygen for you to use at home after a finger tip test to check the level of oxygen in your blood.

Antibiotics

If breathlessness is being caused by a chest infection, antibiotics can help to relieve this. Anticoagulants may be prescribed for clots in the lung.

Complementary therapies

A small research study has shown that acupuncture can be helpful for some people in relieving the experience of breathlessness. Other complementary therapies such as reflexology and homeopathy may also be helpful for some people.