Khaled Mahmoud

 What Is Palliative Care? What Is Palliative Care? Palliative care is a branch of medical care for patients with serious illnesses. The main aim of this type of care if to relieve the symptoms of the patients and decrease the stress of the illness. Improving the quality of life for the person with serious illness and the family is the optimal goal. Of course, this type of medical care is provided by a team of doctors, nurses, and specialists who are trained in these situations. It is an additional layer of support and it should be based on the needs of the patient according to the status with the complete ignorance of the patient’s prognosis. It is provided for any patient with a serious illness no matter how old or the stage of the disease and the patient of the family can ask for it along with curative treatment. Who Is Appropriate for Palliative Care? Palliative care provides the patient who is diagnosed with a serious, chronic, or life-threating disease with extra support. Patients usually continue their curative treatment no matter how aggressive it is along with palliative care in order to relieve the side effects of medications and symptoms of their illness. For example, palliative care is optimal for cancer patients who take curative treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation. In addition to cancers, palliative care can be an optimal solution for many serious and chronic illnesses such as HIV or AIDS, chronic obstructive lung diseases commonly known as COPDS, Systemic Lupus Erythematous, Diabetes Mellitus, Heart Diseases, Parkinson’s Disease, and Dementia including Alzheimer’s. What is Hospice Care? Moreover, When Does Palliative Care Become Hospice Care? Hospice care is made for people who are at the final stage of diseases. It is designed to provide these patients with the comfort they need and improve their quality of life. It is not about a cure; it is about making patients comfortable and free of pain in order to enable them to live fully each day. The methods used to control pain are usually aggressive and hospice care is usually provided at home. The main goal of hospice is to provide the patients with all the support they need; emotionally, socially, spiritually, and medically regarding their symptoms. There is a common misunderstanding between hospice and palliative care. Palliative care does not mean that the patient is dying. It can in one condition; when the patient has only 6 months to live, discontinuing curative treatment and going for hospice care can be the best option to live fully each day. Hospice care includes other non-medical members such as chaplains and volunteers. The disciplines and medications aim to make the patient’s last days better. When Should You See a Palliative Care Specialist? In the past, palliative care was provided to cancer patients only as an option for the final stages of the disease. Nowadays, it is provided for many patients with chronic diseases such as renal problems, pulmonary diseases, neurological disorders, heart problems, and even immunity disorders such as AIDS. The general role is that any patient with a serious illness who is in constant case of pain and stress can seek palliative care. Age is not important; it is provided for children and adults. Improving the quality of the patient’s life and assisting in prolonging it are the main goals of palliative care. In some cases, palliative care can be the optimal solution for the patient. These cases do not require curative treatment anymore; they just need to be relieved all the time. Patients with mobility problems, functional problems, and performance problems who are not able to take care of themselves can benefit from palliative care. If your doctor referred you to a palliative care specialist, there must be an evaluation for your case. You should mention all your symptoms and provide the palliative care specialist with all the information such as the pain episodes and its degree, your appetite, emotional status, feelings, general condition and specific conditions, and anything that might help in your relief. The goal of the palliative care team is to control your whole condition. The physical pain will be managed via painkillers such as opioids. Your psychological status can be modified by the use of certain medications such as antipsychotic drugs. Common side effects of medications such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea will be managed. Physical therapy is used sometimes to relieve certain types of pain. Depending on the symptoms, some treatment options can be recommended such as surgical interventions, chemotherapy, and radiation. The main goal of these treatment options is to minimize pain and they should be done along with curative treatment. Emotional and psychological issues are important and they are part and parcel of palliative care. Mental health is also important. The team taking care of you may include a therapist. It is recommended to join support groups to feel that you are not alone, feel better, and make some friends who understand your pain. Any social problems will be addressed by a counselor or a social worker in order to resolve them as soon as possible. The team can also include a pharmacist, a dietician, and other members according to the patient’s and family's needs. The services can also include the family of the patient. Some families may develop social, psychological, and emotional problems due to the patient’s illness. Palliative care can provide them with relief to be able to cope with the overall situation and manage their problems. Most medical facilities provide palliative care services. The services can be provided wherever the patient resides such as cancer centers and hospitals. If the patient is not admitted to a certain hospital, there are palliative care services designed for patients outside healthcare facilities and at home. There are even programs including assistance in the preparation of meals, meeting family needs, and even giving family members some time off from taking care of the patient. It is recommended to look for palliative care services in your local area. Also, ask about health insurance and if the palliative care services can be covered or not. • The Conclusion: First, palliative care is about meeting what the patient wants. It is better to have a long conversation with the palliative care specialist about the expectations of the family and patient in order to enable the team to meet these expectations.