Frequently Asked Questions

In a small group of patients, when pain is still distressing to the patient despite optimisation of medications, our pain specialist would discuss in clarity interventions (procedures) that could be beneficial to control the pain. These procedures are performed on a shared decision basis in consensus with the patient and family. They are done with precision at ASTER is an advanced hybrid CATH LAB or Ultrasound guidance. Provision of service: Outpatient Inpatient Day-care Extended Home care services – Supervised Care by Primary physician continued at home Tele-consultation Consult the Best Palliative Care Specialist in Bangalore at Aster CMI Hospital in Hebbal.

Our one of the kind, inter-disciplinary service, provides personalised holistic care, with the patient as the primary focus, with caregivers valued inputs. Our team of experts include: Palliative Specialists Pain Specialist Specialty Clinics Constipation clinic Mucositis clinic Malignant wound clinic Lymphedema clinic Ostomy care clinic Experienced Specialist Palliative care Physician Assistants Physiotherapy, Occupational therapy, Speech and language therapist Psychology support/psycho-oncology support Clinical Pharmacist Mind-body medicine Nutritionists

Palliative care can be provided at all points in the disease course – from diagnosis through curative treatment, recovery or progression of the disease, to death and bereavement support.

Symptoms mean problems that arise from the illness/ the treatment for the illness such as: Pain – prevents an individual from being themselves and doing what they want. It affects their food intake, socialising and sleep leading to extreme distress. Nausea and Vomiting – prevents them from even having the smell of food. Distressing as unable to maintain strength and nourishment. Fatigue – feeling helpless as they are unable to be themselves. Breathlessness – Inability to walk or interact with family, distressing to the patient. Constipation – Not everyone wants to talk about it, but can be disabling causing loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, bloating. Delirium – Distressing for patient and family, where the patient will be in confused, forgetful or irritable. Core principles of Palliative medicine: Affirms life to be lived to the best possible quality. Provide personalised care and relief from distressing symptoms, throughout their illness. Affirms that pain can be psychological, emotional and spiritual and need to be heard and addressed professionally. Aim of any treatment is to neither speed up nor delay death. Accepts death and dying as normal physiological aspects of life. Respect the goals of care set by the patient and family.

The true scope of Pain and Palliative Care encompasses the care of a patient with a life-limiting illness, including, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic liver disease, Stroke, Neurological illnesses, cerebral palsy, cancer, AIDS, geriatric care, paediatric palliative care and those near the end of life.

Palliative care is a speciality in medicine that provides supportive care and symptom control for individuals across all ages with serious health-related suffering due to severe illness or its treatment. It aims to improve in a holistic manner, the quality and dignity of life of patients and their caregivers. Early integration of palliative care has proved scientifically to improve the longevity of life.

It is very important to visit your consulting doctor regularly and undergo all prescribed follow-ups and tests to make sure that your new kidney is functioning well. Remember, transplant surgery is a second chance at life and you need to be responsible for your own well-being.

You’ll be under continuous medical observation for 7 to 10 days post surgery, so that we can check whether your new kidney is functioning properly. At times, the new kidney might take some time to start functioning and produce urine. You might have to undergo dialysis till then and also take medications like diuretics to help the kidney expel excess water and salt from your body. Our nurses and rehabilitation experts will take good care of you and guide you through your recovery. We have state-of-the-art hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis facility, complete with a water treatment plant to ensure high-quality dialysis for patients.

The post-surgical risks, like every other transplant surgery, include rejection, infection, bleeding or reaction to anaesthesia. Rejection happens when the body fails to recognise the new kidney and fights to destroy it. During the first few weeks or months post-surgery, your body may try to reject your new kidney. This is called acute rejection and occurs in 25 - 55% of the recipients. You’ll be given immuno-suppressants to counter this problem. Remember, it is mandatory to continue these medicines for the rest of your life. There is also a chance of chronic rejection - a gradual, progressive loss of kidney function that may occur over many years. Unfortunately, there’s no known treatment for chronic rejection and the patient may have depend on dialysis again or opt for another transplant. Aster Centre of Excellence in Multi-Organ Transplant has a very strong infection control system that’s managed by a highly-trained team of infectious diseases & infection control Physicians. Besides, we also have advanced technology like the HEPA Filter that purifies air to 0.3 microns, creating a safe and sterile environment for the patient.

You will have to go through a series of investigations before the surgery to ensure that the donor kidney matches your tissue and blood type. You will also be screened for other health problems including heart or lung diseases. After these tests, you will be enlisted on the transplant list and also on the organ sharing network list. As soon as a matching recipient is available, we will let you know; and if all factors are favourable, our entire team will work as one to ensure you undergo the surgery without any issues.