Palliative care gives extra support for patients, families

Sept. 25--Imagine you or a loved one are diagnosed with a serious disease such as heart failure, COPD or even cancer.

Aside from the stress of processing this new reality, diagnoses like this can bring multiple medications, doctors' visits, procedures and even hospital stays. It can be overwhelming, to say the least. Combine that with new symptoms the patient may be experiencing and even daily tasks can become a challenge. This is reality for many people.

Palliative care is specialized medical care that focuses on relief from the symptoms and stress of serious illness. It is appropriate at all stages of disease -- from the time of diagnosis to death -- and can be provided alongside curative treatment. It is also called Supportive Care and seeks to be an "extra layer of support" for patients, caregivers and families who are feeling the stress of serious illness. Support may mean getting better control of symptoms: pain, depression, trouble sleeping, constipation, nausea, poor appetite, fatigue or shortness of breath. Support could also be provided by having in depth discussions to help patients understand treatment options and establish their treatment goals. A palliative care physician can also facilitate communication between patients and their other care teams. It is important to provide support for emotional, social and spiritual needs or concerns and address fears and anxiety.

Patients who are dealing with serious illnesses need these services, but caregivers are an often-overlooked group that may need attention as well. Similar to the patient, family members often have changing needs as additional responsibilities are placed upon them. It can be quite strenuous to care for a loved one while continuing to keep up with other obligations, such as work or other family responsibilities. In addition, caregivers frequently cite uncertainty regarding how to best help their family member with medical situations. For example, they may have questions about which medication to use for nausea. Similarly, things that were once simple, such as preparing a meal for a loved one, can become difficult when the patient is dealing with altered taste, nausea or poor appetite. These are all things that a palliative care provider can address with a patient and caregiver.

Palliative care is an integral part of comprehensive care for not only cancer, but many other diseases. The recognition and treatment of symptoms can often be as important as the treatment of the underlying disease itself. In addition, providing that extra layer of support can be invaluable for a patient's family members and caregivers as well.

Dr. Lindsey S. Hinton is a board-certified palliative care physician at North Mississippi Medical Center Cancer Care.

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