KARMA-PAIN & PALLIATIVE CARE
Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with incurable or long-term illness, relief of suffering by treatment of pain and other problems. Palliative care provides relief from pain and other distressing symptoms. It affirms life and regards dying as a normal process. Intends neither to
hasten nor postpone death but to offer a support that helps the patient to live as happily as possible till death, offers a support that helps family to cope with patient's illness and their own bereavement. Palliative care is appropriate for anyone of any age who is facing serious illness. It can be delivered alongside active treatments designed to try to prolong life at an early point in the disease process. It is also applicable at the end of life and into bereavement. When you are facing a serious illness, you need relief. Relief from other symptoms, such as fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite and shortness of breath. You need to better understand your condition and choices for care. You need to improve your ability to tolerate medical treatments. And, you and your family need to be able to carry on with everyday life. In palliative care, decisions about treatment and care are made with the help of the members of a multidisciplinary team and in line with the person’s personal goals and preferences. Team members usually include doctors, nurses and social workers. In short, you want to feel better, feel supported and have more control over your care. This is what palliative care can do for you. Simply the idea is to 'add life to their days and not days to their life'.
