Palliative care
About this test
Palliative care is specialized medical care that focuses on providing relief from pain and other symptoms of a serious illness. It also can help you cope with side effects from medical treatments. The availability of palliative care does not depend on whether your condition can be cured.
Why it's done
Palliative care may be offered to people of any age who have a serious or life-threatening illness. It can help adults and children living with illnesses such as: Cancer. Blood and bone marrow disorders requiring stem cell transplant. Heart disease. Cystic fibrosis. Dementia. End-stage liver disease. Kidney failure. Lung disease. Parkinson's disease. Stroke and other serious illnesses. Symptoms that may be improved by palliative care include: Pain. Nausea or vomiting. Anxiety or nervousness. Depression or sadness. Constipation. Difficulty breathing. Loss of appetite. Fatigue. Trouble sleeping.
How to prepare
Here's some information to help you get ready for your first consultation appointment. Bring a list of symptoms you're experiencing. Write down what makes the symptoms better or worse and whether they affect your ability to go about your daily activities. Bring a list of medicines and supplements you use. Write down how often you use the medicines and the doses you take. For example, one pill every four hours for five days. If you can, write what you used that helped with your symptoms or what you used that did not help. Consider bringing a family member or friend with you to the appointment. Bring any advance directives and living wills you've completed.
What to expect
Palliative care can be part of your treatment plan at any stage of a serious illness. You may consider palliative care when you have questions about: What programs and resources are available to support you throughout your illness. Your treatment options and their reasons for and against. Making decisions in line with your personal values and goals. Your first meeting may take place while you're in the hospital or in an outpatient clinic. Research suggests that early use of palliative care services can: Improve the quality of life for people with serious illness. Decrease depression and anxiety. Increase patient and family satisfaction with care. In some cases, extend survival.
Disclaimer: August is a health information platform and its responses don't constitute medical advise. Always consult with a licenced medical professional near you before making any changes.