RN Air hunger is a term used for people with end-stage lung disease experiencing severe shortness of breath and anxiety. Pain is caused by a number of things. Often, large cervical lymph nodes form an obstruction in the upper airways, tumor masses squeeze the tracheo-bronchial tree, and lesions further down in the lung cause the lower portion of the lungs to collapse. A swollen stomach is sometimes present pressing on the diaphragm making it even harder to breathe. People become anxious when they are not able to breathe as normal.
Anxiety increases the body's oxygen demand and heightens the perception of pain.
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