Palliative care is provided to patients who have severe, debilitating and life-ending disease. Its goal is to relieve symptoms such as pain, and make a patient comfortable, with little or no attempt to cure or manage the disease or condition that causes the discomfort. It is the approach to care for people who are terminally ill.
When delivered successfully, palliative care can relieve suffering for both the patient and the patient's loved ones who know the patient is benefiting from the relief.
Palliative care can also be used for patients who suffer difficult side effects from other treatment. For example, a cancer patient who suffers from nausea after a chemo treatment may be given medicine which will relieve his nausea. Such treatment is considered palliative.
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An empowered patient understands the different goals of treatment and takes them into account as she works in partnership with her doctor to make treatment decisions.
