Palliative Treatment

A form of treatment/care in which symptoms of a disease are relieved or minimized, but however, the problem is not cured is termed as palliative treatment. The treatment is provided for various diseases irrespective of their stage or severity. The side-effects of certain medications can also be reduced with the help of this treatment. In short, the objective of this treatment is to reduce the sufferings/severity of symptoms of patients through all possible means.

About Palliative Treatment

Palliative care or treatment doesn't just focus on the physical aspects of health, but also the emotional and spiritual ones. In case of incurable diseases like cancer, the family members of patients too are given the necessary mental support. Along with cancer, care is provided to patients with kidney diseases, pulmonary disorders, progressive neurological conditions, chronic heart failure and also in emergency palliative treatment. Pediatric palliative care is an emerging field which deals with treatment of children suffering serious illness. There has been a rise in palliative treatment centers since the quality of life of patients is given due importance. In the United States of America, the palliative care program is offered by 55% of the hospitals which have a hundred bed facility.

The hospices which are used for the treatment of dying patients were earlier used only as places of rest till the 4th century. The concept of treatment and care was popularized in Britain after the St. Christopher Hospice was founded in the year 1967.

Cancer Treatment

The treatment for cancer patients can be provided at home, in hospitals or hospice facilities. The care at home is generally provided for first few days, however, as the cancer progresses, patient is shifted to the hospital. The following symptoms are taken care of with palliative treatment: pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, weakness, trouble in breathing, weight loss, constipation, nausea, confusion, vomiting, cough, etc. Codeine and morphine, the opioid medicines, are given for relief from pain. There are four modes of giving pain killers i.e. through the mouth, rectum, skin or veins. These opioid pain killers result into side-effects such as constipation. Medications to overcome the side-effect are prescribed to cancer patients. Cancer patients may also face emotional problems along with the physical ones. It is difficult for some patients to accept the situation in the first place. Anger, irritation and other such reactions, though normal in such cases, need to be overcome as early as possible. Palliative care treatment aims to help the patients overcome such problems through counseling. They are advised to get engaged in hobbies like writing, painting, listening to music, etc.

The family members too need counseling in dealing with such kind of difficult situations. It is necessary to maintain a harmonious and peaceful environment taking into consideration that the manner in which different members would react could be different. Adjusting to the situation is the key and the family members should take care of each other.

Palliative Radiation Treatment

Radiation therapy is used for the treatment of tumors present in the body. The focus of palliative radiation treatment is on minimizing the pain they have to bear. The tumors which affect the bones are treated. The tumors which affect the spinal cord and thereby create problems in locomotion are also treated in palliative radiation therapy. Problems associated with eating, breathing or bowel movements caused by tumors can also be relieved with the radiation treatment. A specialist who carries out the radiation treatment is known as 'Radiation Oncologist'.

Palliative treatment is important in the care of patients with chronic diseases. Relieving the pain and providing the patients with comfort wasn't given much importance in earlier times. With the rise in awareness about problems faced by cancer patients and others who face serious illnesses, this field has grown a lot. It is necessary to find out new methods and treatments constantly, in order to make the life of these patients comfortable.