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Harbor Light Hospice

End of Life Care

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What Are Signs Of Respiratory Distress?

February 10, 2020

Man treating respiratory distressMany illnesses cause difficulty breathing. When a loved one is having to work harder to breathe or not getting enough oxygen, they may be in a state of respiratory distress. Learning the signs of respiratory distress and knowing how to respond can save your loved one’s life if they are having serious difficulty getting air. Taking a CPR class can prepare you for medical emergencies such as these. If your loved one is experiencing any of the below signs of respiratory distress, call 911 or notify a health care professional if they are in a healthcare facility.

Breathing Rate

An increased breathing rate is often one of the first signs of respiratory distress. Your loved one may increase the number of breaths they take per minute if they are having difficulty breathing or are not getting enough oxygen in their bloodstream. This, in turn, can cause chest pain, high blood pressure, and even confusion as the body struggles to get the oxygen it needs to function.

Color Changes

If your loved one is struggling to breathe, their skin may begin to slightly change color. A bluish color may appear around the mouth, on the inside of the lips, and even on the fingernails when in respiratory distress. Their skin may also appear pale or gray. Keep a close eye on your loved one’s coloring, and if they appear to develop a bluish or pale tint, call for emergency help.

Nose Flaring

In an effort to get more oxygen, your loved one’s nose may flare out. This symptom is most common in children and infants, though people of any age may experience it when they are ill or having difficulty breathing. Though nasal flaring is not painful, it can be a sign of serious distress in infants and requires immediate care.

Retractions

Retraction as a side effect to respiratory distressRetractions occur when the chest appears to sink in just below the neck or under the breastbone with each breath. It can also be seen under the rib cage or in the muscles between the ribs. This is a sign that your loved one is trying to bring more air into their lungs and is one of the most visible symptoms of respiratory distress.

Wheezing and Grunting

Those who are having difficulty breathing may grunt each time they exhale, which is the body’s way of trying to keep air in the lungs so they stay open longer. Wheezing, which is characterized as a tight whistling sound with each breath, indicates that their air passages may be smaller and tighter.

Sweating

A faster breathing rate can cause a person to sweat, though their skin will not feel warm to the touch. Instead, the skin often feels cool or clammy. Sweat typically appears on the head in these instances.

Body Position

A sudden movement forward while sitting to take deeper breaths indicates the possibility of collapse. Be prepared to assist your loved one before they fall over, which can cause serious injury even if they are falling from a seated position.

Considering Hospice Care Services

Hospice care services can help you provide the best support for loved ones with lung disease and other respiratory issues. These services are designed to maintain patients’ comfort, not cure their illness. Through hospice care, your loved one will receive assistance with pain management, exercise, light house cleaning and more. They will also have access to emotional and spiritual counseling throughout their time in hospice care.

While your loved one receives personalized care, family caregivers can take time to rest, recharge and handle other tasks if necessary, offering a welcome break during the often emotional process of caring for a loved one. They also receive counseling services and the expert guidance of healthcare professionals, who can answer pressing questions and coordinate care with other members of the medical team.

When to Consider Hospice Care

Family members holding handsDoctors typically recommend patients for hospice care when they have fewer than six months to live. If you have been feeling overwhelmed with your loved one’s care, or if you realize that they require more specialized care than you are able to provide, the assistance of a specialized hospice care team may be beneficial. Hospice care services can be provided in your loved one’s home, which can help them feel comfortable and maintain their independence for as long as possible, or in any medical care facility if necessary.

Securing Hospice Care Services

Speak to Harbor Light Hospice for more information about hospice care services and how they can benefit your family. The agency connects families with dedicated teams of nurses, doctors, therapists, and medical professionals who create customized care plans that maintain your loved one’s comfort. Harbor Light also provides emotional and spiritual counseling services for patients and their families, helping to care for the whole person during a difficult stage of life.

Filed Under: Harbor Light Hospice Blog

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  • Hospice Care
    ▶
    • When To Start Hospice
    • How To Pay For Hospice
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Talking To Physicians About Hospice
    • Support For Patient Family Members
    • Caring For Veterans
    • Volunteering For Hospice
    • Medical Treatment During Hospice
  • Conditions Cared For
    ▶
    • ALS
    • Cancer
    • Dementia and Alzheimers
    • Heart Disease
    • HIV/AIDs
    • Kidney Failure/Renal Failure
    • Lung Disease
    • Neurological Diseases
  • Areas Served
    ▶
    • Illinois
      ▶
      • Decatur, IL
      • East Peoria, IL
      • Galesburg, IL
      • Winfield, IL
    • Indiana
      ▶
      • Merrillville/Crown Point, IN
      • Indianapolis, IN
      • Mishawaka/South Bend, IN
    • Nebraska
      ▶
      • Lincoln, NE
    • Ohio
      ▶
      • Akron, OH
      • Cleveland, OH
      • Youngstown, OH
    • Oregon
      ▶
      • Portland, OR
      • Salem, OR
    • Virginia
      ▶
      • Glen Allen, VA
      • Newport News, VA
  • Resources
    ▶
    • Advance Care Planning
      ▶
      • Advance Directives For Cancer Patients
      • Advance Directives For COPD Patients
      • Advance Directives for Dementia Patients
      • Advance Directives For Patients With Heart Failure
      • Advance Directives Overview
      • Artificial Nutrition and Hydration
      • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
      • Do Not Intubate (DNI) Order
      • Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order
      • Medical Power of Attorney
      • What is a Living Will?
    • Caregiving
      ▶
      • Being Safe at Home
      • Caring For Individuals In Pain
      • Organizational Tips for Caregivers
      • Providing Care
      • Supporting the Caregiver
      • The Dying Process
    • COVID-19
      ▶
      • How to Avoid Burnout
      • How to Balance Work and Life
      • The Importance of Self-Care
      • Tips to Reduce Stress at Work
    • Grief and Loss
      ▶
      • Helping Children Cope With Grief
      • A Guide For Grieving Parents
      • Experiencing Grief
      • Supporting Someone Who is Grieving
      • Talking to Loved Ones About End-of-Life
    • Hospice Patients Resources
      ▶
      • Living During End of life
      • Talking To Children About Death
      • Talking About Your Illness
    • Pain Management
      ▶
      • Generic Drugs
      • Myths About Pain
      • Pain Management Frequently Asked Questions
      • Prescription Pain Relievers
      • Relieving Pain Without Medication
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Careers
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