Evidence-based management of symptoms in serious respiratory illness: what is in our toolbox?

Extract Living with a respiratory illness requires patients to manage a wide range of symptoms, many of which will worsen as a disease progresses. Breathlessness is a hallmark feature of respiratory conditions, occurring in almost all individuals with COPD and interstitial lung disease (ILD) [1, 2]. Cough is present in 78% of people with ILD and is frequently distressing, with physical, social and emotional impacts [1, 3].