Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing problems associated with life-threatening illness, regardless of whether or not they also receive life-prolonging treatment. It requires a multidisciplinary approach and aims to address physical, psychosocial, and spiritual problems.
Life threatening illnesses are where death is expected to be a direct consequence of the specified illness.
Analysis of available evidence suggested 11 common symptoms occurring in the advanced stages and end of life stages: anorexia, anxiety, constipation, delirium, depression, diarrhoea, dyspnoea, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, pain and respiratory tract secretions.
All symptoms should be managed by a multi-disciplinary team to ensure a holistic approach.
Note: Please be advised that the recommendations in this chapter are directed at treating common symptoms associated with end-of-life care (acute and sub-acute) - a component of palliative care. The approach to end-of-life care may differ from supportive palliative care. Refer to relevant sections for supportive palliative care, e.g.: Depressive disorders.
Always refer to the latest National Guidelines on Palliative Care.
For management of pain in palliative care see Pain.