Palliative care is a professional medical care for people with serious illness. This care focuses on providing relief from the stress and symptoms of the illness to improve the quality of life for the patient and their family.
Palliative care offers an extra layer of support by providing specially-trained doctors and nurses. It can be taken at any age and at any stage of your illness.
In cancer, palliative care might help you live comfortably and longer. This care, assisted by the best cancer treatment in Pune, (renowned for cancer specialist in India) can have a few side effects, but it aims at making you feel comfortable. Your doctor might choose procedures that involve fewer side effects.
Some of the conditions in which this care can be helpful to include cancer, cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), dementia, and other serious illnesses.
Palliative Care Team
In case of advanced cancer, you might be under the care of a palliative team who will take care of you and your health. Their expertise in the issue might help you with your quality of life. This team is also called supportive care as it offers support and care to the patients.
This team consists of:
- Doctors and nurses
- Social workers
- Volunteers
- Pastoral care workers
- Dietitians, physiotherapists, counselors
- A psychologist
- A prosthetist
- A pharmacist
- A physical therapist
- An occupational therapist
- An art or music therapist
With you, this team also supports your friends and family.
For cancer care, palliative care may depend on the stage of your cancer, age, treatment, symptoms prognosis, and type of cancer.
Benefits of Palliative Care
There are various benefits of palliative care which include:
Relief from Stress and Symptoms
The aim of this care is to relieve the patient and there from their suffering and stress, providing the best quality of life. A few symptoms may include:
- Constipation
- Fatigue
- Difficulty sleeping
- Loss of appetite
- Shortness of breath
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Nausea
- Pain
Palliative care will help you to get relief from all of these symptoms. According to recent studies, patients under palliative care have more chances to live longer.
Match Treatment Options to Your Goals
This team also spends time with you to choose the best treatment option and discuss it with your doctors. This gives you more control over what is best suited for you and your care. They also make sure that your doctors understand what you want.
Collaborate With Your Doctors
The goal of this treatment is to enhance the patient’s and their family’s quality of life by relieving stress and illness-related symptoms.
Palliative care providers are specifically trained physicians and nurses who provide an additional level of assistance. It can be taken at any age or stage of a medical condition.
The team of palliative care specialists communicates with your doctors and helps them understand your requirements during the treatment.
Reduced Risk of Depression and Longer Chances of Survival
Early palliative care can reduce the chances of depression and can give you a longer survival rate. It can also reduce the chances of other mental health disorders.
When to Consider Palliative Care?
There is a misconception that palliative care should be taken in the later stages of illness.
The fact is that, if you have serious or life-threatening illnesses, you can get this care at any time. In a number of diagnoses, palliative care is more beneficial when started early.
Since this care has been more accessible lately, you might be able to get it at your home.
Conclusion
In conclusion, palliative care can take care of you as well as your loved ones during this devastating time as it comes with a lot of benefits.
