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With an aging population, the need for palliative care has never been greater in the United States. Even so, most folks do not understand what this medical subspecialty actually entails. Here are 10 things everyone should know about palliative care and its place in modern medicine. 1. Improves Quality of Life: Rather than treating the illness itself, palliative care focuses on managing the symptoms of serious diseases like cancer. The emphasis is always on making patients as comfortable as possible. 2. Available To All: Whether you are in the first or last stages of a serious illness, pain and symptom management is always an option. There are also no restrictions regarding the seriousness of the disease, as some patients who receive it are not terminal. 3. The Earlier The Better: As we mentioned, this type of care won't cure an illness, but it will help the patient enjoy his or her life and the time they have left. It is for this reason that many medical professionals recommend it as soon as symptoms start causing chronic pain. 4. Not Just For Cancer: Even though it is far more common in oncology wards, the medical subspecialty is used to alleviate the symptoms of other serious, chronic illnesses, including heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), renal disease, and neurodegenerative diseases. 5. Emotional Aid: When a patient is told they have a serious, even terminal illness, the psychological impact can be as devastating as the physical one. Health professionals who are trained in palliative medicine have the experience and know-how to help people deal with the confusion and mental anguish that invariably ensues. 6. Not Equal To Hospice Help: As a general rule, you must be considered either terminal or within six months of death to be accepted into a hospice program. Because it is simply designed to alleviate the most aggressive symptoms of any serious illness, there are no such restrictions on palliative care. 7. May Extend Life: Although the purpose of the medical subspecialty is not to treat the underlying disease, there is some evidence that pain management can help people live longer. At the very least, it dramatically improves their quality of life. 8. Multidisciplinary Approach: In addition to treating the physical symptoms of a disease, clinicians will also address social, mental, and spiritual suffering. This focus on relieving total pain can be of enormous benefit to patients and their families. 9. For More Than Pain: Although pain is often the focus of treatment, there are other common symptoms that caregivers may be able to ameliorate, including fatigue, delirium, nausea, and lack of appetite. 10. Improves Communication: Instead of hiding from or ignoring the disease, clinicians help patients and their families confront it. This helps them enjoy the time they have left. As an increasingly popular medical subspecialty, palliative care can be a godsend for patients with serious illnesses and their families. To learn more about their options for palliative care, Baldwin County residents should visit http://mercymedical.com/index.php.
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