Respiratory symptoms are extremely common in palliative care patients. They can have significant and profound effects on the quality of life of the patient and those around them so their control is essential. Assessment and management of respiratory symptoms in palliative care patients broadly follow that of the general population and are within the abilities of all clinicians. However, this patient group does pose particular management problems that the GP should be familiar with. The aim of this review is to familiarize the GP with the main respiratory symptoms encountered in palliative care along with the main causes, their assessment and management.
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