What Diseases Need Palliative Care
- Posted by:
- Admin
- Tags:
- Palliative Care, COPD, ALS, Alzheimers, Kidney Failure
- Posted date:
- 20-11-2024
This article highlights the critical role of palliative care in managing various serious illnesses, including cancer, COPD, kidney failure, Alzheimer's, and ALS. It details how palliative care teams offer essential physical, emotional, and psychological support to enhance the quality of life for patients throughout their treatment journey.
Cancer
Palliative care is important for the management and treatment strategy for cancer. In the context of cancer, everyone who has been diagnosed with this condition should have access to palliative care.
The provision of this type of care isn't specifically targeted towards the terminal or final stages of the disease; in fact, it can be introduced at any point after a diagnosis has been confirmed - with the aim of enhancing the patient's quality of life.
Cancer is a dire illness, that demands a comprehensive approach that focuses not only on physical symptoms but also on the emotional, social, and psychological impacts.
Palliative care teams are generally made up of skilled professionals such as doctors, nurses, and social workers; their collective responsibility is to provide respite from pain, manage symptoms like lack of appetite or sleep disturbances, and provide emotional and psychological support.
When palliative care is incorporated into the treatment plan, it can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression - which are often correlated with a cancer diagnosis. Therefore, the main goal of palliative care goes beyond simply prolonging the patient's life; it also helps to enhance the value and quality of the patient's life.
COPD
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, is a long-term lung condition that gradually worsens over time. This disease manifests in distressing symptoms such as breathing difficulties and constant coughing, leading to a diminished quality of life for those who have it.
One way patients can see improvements in their day-to-day lives is through palliative care - a type of care specifically designed to alleviate these troubling symptoms. COPD patients can encounter a range of complications beyond lung-related issues, one of the most serious being obstructions to the heart and the development of heart disease; this is due to the pressure COPD puts on this vital organ.
Patients can experience a lot of discomfort from COPD, making activities most of us take for granted, like walking up a flight of stairs, a challenge. To manage these health complications, palliative care is essential.
A palliative care team is composed of healthcare professionals who specialise in a variety of fields; their main goal is to alleviate the physical discomfort caused by COPD - such as administering medication such as Bronchodilators, that help to open up the airways, making breathing easier. The team also provides respiratory therapy to help with improved lung function, since people with COPD can struggle to breathe.
For people with COPD, symptoms like chronic pain, fatigue, and trouble sleeping can be a frequent occurrence. Therefore, palliative care also addresses these underlying issues, ensuring the patient's overall well-being. Moreover, emotional and psychological support is provided to help them and their families cope with the mental stress brought on by the disease.
In sum, palliative care is not solely about end-of-life care; rather, it acts as a vital component in the overall treatment plan throughout the patient's journey with COPD. By offering rights and resources, and providing guidance on the disease's progression, treatment options, and future care planning, palliative care services play a crucial role in maintaining the best quality of life for COPD patients.
Kidney Failure
When a person suffers from kidney failure, their kidneys are no longer able to remove waste from their blood efficiently. This can lead to debilitating ailments and reduce a person's quality of life; as a result, having palliative care becomes essential.
Palliative care plays a key role in managing the pain and discomfort associated with kidney failure - common symptoms include constant fatigue, difficulty sleeping and a loss of appetite. Palliative care specialists can recognise these challenges and create care plans targeting these symptoms.
The ultimate goal is to enhance the patient’s quality of life and ensure they can live as comfortably as possible despite their health condition. In addition to dealing with the physical aspect of kidney diseases, the palliative care team extends their support to address the patient's social and psychological needs. This integrated approach means that the patient is not only physically cared for but also mentally supported in their time of need.
The palliative care team also provides valuable resources for end-of-life discussions, navigating the complexities of the healthcare system, and making informed medical decisions; they ensure patients understand their condition and the care they receive. With the introduction of palliative care in the early stages of kidney failure, the quality of life can be significantly improved, and survival rates can potentially increase.
Alzheimer’s
Caring for someone with Alzheimer's can be a complex and often challenging process - which is why palliative care is often recommended as a form of support. Alzheimer's is a serious illness that gradually affects a person's memory, thinking skills, and ability to carry out even the most basic daily tasks; it can be a confusing and distressing time for the individual and their family.
However, palliative care is designed to help those with serious illnesses like Alzheimer's - this type of care can help manage troublesome symptoms such as agitation, depression, and lack of appetite, but also to provide a support system for families.
Dealing with an Alzheimer's diagnosis and its progression can induce a considerable amount of stress and anxiety; palliative care provides a crucial support network to help families cope. A dedicated palliative care team can improve the quality of life for those with Alzheimer's disease; by creating personalised treatment plans, managing symptoms and providing emotional and social support - plus coordinating care among various healthcare providers - palliative care ensures both the patient and their family receive the support and care they need during the difficult time.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
People diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), often known as motor neuron disease, encounter a fast-progressing nerve disorder. This condition can result in muscular weakness, speech difficulties and breathlessness; due to its severe nature, a crucial part of the treatment - from the moment of diagnosis - is palliative care.
Within the context of ALS, palliative care aims to manage symptoms to enhance the patient's quality of life; this support can include strategies to relieve physical symptoms like breathlessness, eating problems and ongoing pain.
However, palliative care goes beyond only tending to physical symptoms; it also addresses the considerable emotional and mental distress associated with ALS - extending support not only to the patient but also close family. Typically, palliative care teams consist of a mix of neurologists, nurses and social workers; these professionals collaborate to form a patient-focused strategy, helping with crucial decision-making regarding treatments. Additionally, they ensure that patients' rights and wishes are always respected.
In summary, diseases like ALS demonstrate instances where palliative care isn't just beneficial but vitally important; its inclusive approach helps to alleviate physical discomfort, manage mental stress and guarantee the best possible quality of life for those affected by serious diseases. Therefore, palliative care is a crucial component of care for a range of diagnoses.
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