Inhaler Quiz
Health Tool

2/3 of patients do not use their inhalers correctly. Incorrect usage of inhalers can be a significant problem for asthma patients. Assess your inhaler.

The first step in treatment of dyspnea (shortness of breath) is to correct what is correctable. For example, antibiotics are given for infection, diuretics for fluid in the lungs from heart failure, or blood thinners for a clot in the lung. If there is an underlying lung disease, such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema, medications used to treat these conditions may provide relief.

If a large collection of fluid is present between the lung and chest wall (pleural effusion), a chest tube can be inserted to drain the fluid. Medication can be inserted through the chest tube to close off the space and prevent reaccumulation of the fluid. A tumour that may be pressing on a large airway and closing off a significant part of the lung can be treated with radiation to shrink the tumour and reopen the airway.


Opioids are some of the most useful medications for treating dyspnea. Although their exact mechanism of action is unknown, opioids such as morphine reduce the breathing rate, reduce anxiety, and reduce the sensation of shortness of breath. If you have not used opioids before, your doctor will recommend a low dose to start, and then gradually increase the dose until it is effective. If you are already using opioids for other reasons, then the doctor may recommend a higher dose of the opioid.

Although once thought to reduce the side effects of taking oral opioids, nebulized (inhaled) opioids have not shown to reduce side effects and are not recommended to treat shortness of breath.

Other medications (e.g., lorazepam, diazepam, certain antidepressants) have been used to treat shortness of breath, but studies have not found them to be effective.

Non-medication management

Exercise may help to improve shortness of breath and may be suggested for certain people. Also, having a fan blowing cool air around the face may help reduce the feeling of shortness of breath.

No one needs to suffer with shortness of breath. Although there are many causes of dyspnea, something can always be done to lessen the discomfort. If you have shortness of breath, be sure to tell your doctor about it. It is also useful for the doctor to know if this shortness of breath has come on gradually or suddenly and what makes it worse. Any other symptoms that are associated with the dyspnea such as cough, mucus production, or pain should also be reported.

Written and reviewed by the MediResource Clinical Team