Palliative care is a form of patient treatment, coupled with medication that focuses, not on curing an illness, but on keeping a patient as comfortable as possible, so he and his family can carry on with life that is as normal as possible. Palliative care is used for patients with terminal illnesses, as well as severe medical conditions, such as cancer, where it might
be used, in conjunction with other treatments hoped to cure the disease. All too often, during severe illnesses, pain management tops the list of issues that must be dealt with.
In working with cancer patients, treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy almost always cause additional problems, beyond the pain of a cancerous growth. These include symptoms such as extreme nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, stress, etc. In fact, for many patients, the treatment is as painful or debilitating as the disease. With palliative caretakers, the goal is always to help the patient be as comfortable as possible, regardless of the illness and/or prognosis for cure.
Unfortunately, the duties of doctors all too often go beyond curing their patients' maladies. When in fact a patient is terminally ill, the focus of care becomes alleviating suffering as much as possible to retain some quality of life. While there are many pain relievers manufactured by mass pharmaceuticals, for various reasons, the form of these drugs might not be best medications for a patient. In this scenario, doctors are increasingly turning to specialty pharmacies where their pharmacists can do things such as customize dosage or delivery methods of the drugs. Rather than swallowing pills or capsules, patients might prefer syrups, lozenges, and/or transdermal gels.
Alternative delivery methods can also help patients sidestep some of the side effects normally associated with prescription drugs. In the case of opiates, for example, transdermal patches can be created that deliver medication directly to the area of pain. This method bypasses the digestive system which eliminates normally associated side effects such as drowsiness and inability to function. This type of pain management also allows for lower dosages, lessening the chance that the patient will develop a physical addiction to the drug. Palliative care is extremely important when it comes to illness and quality of life. Referrals to palliative care facilities by a physician are required, as is a prescription for any medication prepared by a compounding pharmacy. However, teamwork in medical care is on the rise, and compounding pharmacists are becoming an integral part of many teams as they fill an important role in finding alternative treatments used in palliative care.
Reproduction permitted only if all active links are maintained and byline is preserved, and/or your byline is omitted. 2011 All Copyrights reserved.
be used, in conjunction with other treatments hoped to cure the disease. All too often, during severe illnesses, pain management tops the list of issues that must be dealt with.
In working with cancer patients, treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy almost always cause additional problems, beyond the pain of a cancerous growth. These include symptoms such as extreme nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, stress, etc. In fact, for many patients, the treatment is as painful or debilitating as the disease. With palliative caretakers, the goal is always to help the patient be as comfortable as possible, regardless of the illness and/or prognosis for cure.
Unfortunately, the duties of doctors all too often go beyond curing their patients' maladies. When in fact a patient is terminally ill, the focus of care becomes alleviating suffering as much as possible to retain some quality of life. While there are many pain relievers manufactured by mass pharmaceuticals, for various reasons, the form of these drugs might not be best medications for a patient. In this scenario, doctors are increasingly turning to specialty pharmacies where their pharmacists can do things such as customize dosage or delivery methods of the drugs. Rather than swallowing pills or capsules, patients might prefer syrups, lozenges, and/or transdermal gels.
Alternative delivery methods can also help patients sidestep some of the side effects normally associated with prescription drugs. In the case of opiates, for example, transdermal patches can be created that deliver medication directly to the area of pain. This method bypasses the digestive system which eliminates normally associated side effects such as drowsiness and inability to function. This type of pain management also allows for lower dosages, lessening the chance that the patient will develop a physical addiction to the drug. Palliative care is extremely important when it comes to illness and quality of life. Referrals to palliative care facilities by a physician are required, as is a prescription for any medication prepared by a compounding pharmacy. However, teamwork in medical care is on the rise, and compounding pharmacists are becoming an integral part of many teams as they fill an important role in finding alternative treatments used in palliative care.
Reproduction permitted only if all active links are maintained and byline is preserved, and/or your byline is omitted. 2011 All Copyrights reserved.
About the Author:
If you need a source to obtain customized pain management medication in Los Angeles author Stephen Daniels recommends you look into the services offered by Advanced Compounding Pharmacy. Their very qualified and licensed staff specializes in this field, and will work with your doctor to find the best solutions for your unique medical needs.
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