Supportive Care in Respiratory Disease

Respiratory symptoms such as breathlessness and cough are common in patients with advancing and incurable disease. For example, cancer, chronic cardiac and pulmonary disease, progressive neuromuscular disorders and degenerative disorders all give rise to varying degrees of respiratory distress which adversely affects the patient's quality of life. In recent years, there has been significant growth into the palliation of respiratory symptoms leading to practical ways of giving relief in hospices, hospitals and at home. The book includes non-malignant respiratory diseases such as tuberculosis in AIDS patients; ventilator-dependent patients and cystic fibrosis and focuses on aetiology and diagnosis and management, emphasizing symptoms, quality of life and psychosocial support. The underlying theme of the book is the application of modern research-based knowledge, in a humane way, for patients with advancing disease. Aimed primarily at specialists in palliative care, oncology and respiratory physicians; doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and pharmacists will also be interested. The book will appeal to those working in 'acute' specialties such as cardiology or pulmonary medicine, whose patients are not usually considered for palliative care, but in whom relief of distressing respiratory problems could improve the quality of life.