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Palliative cancer care - dyspnoea - Background information
What are the complications of dyspnoea?
- Physical symptoms: fatigue, loss of appetite, pain, sweating, insomnia.
- Emotional impact: anxiety, depression, anger, helplessness, loneliness, intimacy issues.
- Reduced functioning: difficulties with eating, bathing, answering the telephone; reduced mobility.
- Social implications: social isolation, change of role in the family, employment, financial.
[Doyle et al, 2004; NHMRC, 2004]
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