A definition of palliative care services is the combination of medicine and health services directed at prolonging life. The goal of palliative care is to improve survival, relieve pain and distress, and eliminate death. This is done by reducing the suffering of individuals and families, while improving quality of life. Most people often confuse palliative care services with curative care or patient care, but these two treatments are quite different. In fact, when you speak of palliative care, you speak of the “term life style”, whereas curative care focuses on preventing disease before it starts.
Palliative care services are often recommended for those nearing the end of life or those experiencing terminal illness. These individuals and their families face a number of emotional, physical and other problems along the way. In addition, the treatment can sometimes be slow and tiring. With palliative care services, families and friends can get support and relief from a range of services, including massage, socialization, exercise, counseling and help with stress management. Often, patients feel better in a controlled environment before they begin receiving medical treatments that may cause them pain, discomfort and even pain and discomfort.
However, even though this type of health care is non-medical in nature, there is still a specific medical treatment associated with palliative care. Physicians may provide medicine such as intravenous or intramuscular medication. They may also prescribe general anesthesia or respiratory assistance. Cancer patients may receive chemotherapy, radiation therapy or targeted radiation or surgery. If medicine cannot control symptoms, patients may receive other forms of pain control such as inhalers, drug pumps, and electrical stimulation.
Although palliative care services are aimed at relieving pain and other uncomfortable symptoms, they are often limited to providing relief from symptoms and diseases rather than preventing or treating disease progression. This type of care often focuses on reducing discomfort to the point where patients are comfortable and functioning normally. As with traditional medicine, prevention is always better than cure. However, for individuals suffering from incurable medical conditions, palliative care services are often an attractive option for symptom relief.
A traditional palliative care service focuses on preventing illness rather than treating it. It may involve removing wastes and toxins from the body through organ transplantation, chemical therapy, chemotherapy and other treatments. In some cases, patients and their families may also try and prevent illness through dietary modifications, physical activity, alternative therapies, meditation and other practices. However, all of these methods should be subject to the rules and regulations set out by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which have developed standards for quality of palliative care services that can be used in most healthcare settings.
Many people do not associate palliative care services with pain management. However, these services can help treat pain, but they also focus on relieving symptoms that can lead to further health problems down the line. Pain management includes such practices as deep muscle stimulation, ultrasound, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, application of pressure and heating. Other techniques include the use of natural products, hydrotherapy, exercise and other stress-relieving activities.
Many people suffering from incurable diseases and illnesses choose palliative care services for additional symptom relief. This helps them to manage pain and discomfort and improve overall health without concern over ongoing or impending complications. Some use this type of care when they have suffered a major illness and cannot be treated using traditional medicine. Others may find palliative care services useful after having surgery and sustaining injuries that require specialized treatment. Palliative care services can even help patients cope with stress, depression and other emotional disorders.
The main goal of palliative care services is to improve the quality of life of patients. They also reduce morbidity and mortality and improve the quality of life for those suffering from incurable diseases and illnesses. With advancements in technology and knowledge palliative care services are now more accessible and more helpful.