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l-Menthol - a new treatment for breathlessness?
Masashi Kanezaki1, Kunihiko Terada2, Satoru Ebihara3
1Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Sciences, Tokyo International University, Kawagoe, Saitama.
Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care
|November 11, 2021
Summary
L-menthol may help relieve breathlessness in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients by creating an illusion of improved airflow. Further research is needed to explore its use with exercise and inspiratory muscle training.
Area of Science:
- Respiratory Medicine
- Palliative Care
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Managing breathlessness in advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a significant clinical challenge.
- Novel palliative interventions are needed for persistent breathlessness despite disease-specific therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanisms and effects of l-menthol on breathlessness.
- To explore l-menthol's potential as a palliative intervention for COPD patients.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of relevant papers.
- Analysis of one randomized controlled trial on l-menthol and breathlessness in COPD.
Main Results:
- L-menthol's cooling sensation may stimulate the trigeminal nerve, creating an illusion of increased inspiratory flow.
- Studies in healthy subjects show l-menthol can relieve exertional breathlessness, but this is not yet established in COPD patients.
- A clinical trial described l-menthol's effect on sensory-emotional aspects of laboratory-induced breathlessness in COPD.
Conclusions:
- L-menthol shows potential for managing breathlessness in COPD patients.
- Further investigation is required for its application in inspiratory muscle training and combined exercise interventions.
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