It can be distressing to feel short of breath, but several simple strategies can help provide some relief from breathlessness at home.
 | Treat other conditionsLet your doctor know if you feel breathless. Conditions such as anaemia, a lung infection or COPD may also make you feel short of breath, and these can often be treated. |
 | Sleep more uprightUse a recliner chair or prop yourself up in bed to help you sleep in a more upright position. An occupational therapist may be able to recommend a special pillow for sleeping. |
 | Check if equipment could helpAsk your health care team about equipment to manage breathlessness, such as nebulisers, incentive spirometers, oxygen concentrator to use at home, and portable oxygen cylinders for outings. |
 | Relax on a pillowWhile seated at a table, rest your head and upper chest on a pillow. Bend from your hips and keep your back straight. This helps to relax your breathing muscles. |
 | Ask about medicinesTalk to your doctor about medicines, such as a low dose of morphine, to ease breathlessness. It is important to keep any chest pain well controlled because pain may prevent you from breathing deeply. |
 | Modify your movementDo gentle exercise to help you avoid losing strength and muscle. An exercise physiologist, physiotherapist or occupational therapist from your treatment centre can explain how to adjust your activities to improve breathlessness. |
 | Create a breezeUse a portable or handheld fan to direct a cool stream of air across your face if you feel short of breath when you are not active. Sitting by an open window can also help. |
 | Find ways to relaxListen to a relaxation recording or learn other ways to relax. This can help you to control anxiety and breathe more easily. Some people find breathing exercises, acupuncture and meditation helpful. Listen to our Finding Calm During Cancer podcast episodes.Learn more about complementary therapies. |
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Dr Malinda Itchins, Thoracic Medical Oncologist, Royal North Shore Hospital and Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Dr Cynleen Kai, Radiation Oncologist, GenesisCare, VIC; Dr Naveed Alam, Thoracic Surgeon, St Vincent’s Hospital, Epworth Richmond, and Monash Medical Centre, VIC; Helen Benny, Consumer; Dr Rachael Dodd, Senior Research Fellow, The Daffodil Centre, NSW; Kim Greco, Specialist Lung Cancer Nurse Consultant, Flinders Medical Centre, SA; Caitriona Nienaber, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA; Marco Salvador, Consumer; Janene Shelton, Lung Foundation Australia – Specialist Lung Cancer Nurse, Darling Downs Health, QLD; Prof Emily Stone, Respiratory Physician, Department of Thoracic Medicine and Lung Transplantation, St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, NSW; A/Prof Marianne Weber, Stream Lead, Lung Cancer Policy and Evaluation, The Daffodil Centre, NSW.
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