Drivers of Breathlessness

Breathlessness is a debilitating symptom of chronic respiratory disease that negatively impacts on patients’ quality of life and wellbeing. Its management is challenging and does not guarantee good symptom control.

Anna Spathis and her team at the Cambridge Breathlessness Intervention Service have developed the ‘Breathing, Thinking, Functioning’ model for breathlessness. It helps frame understanding of the symptom, how it is perceived in the patient, and how to focus practical treatment.

Noel Baxter, Chair of the Primary Care Respiratory Society-UK, explores the model in this video. He highlights the vicious cycle of cognitive and behavioural reactions to breathlessness and suggests symptom management approaches.