What are the interventional options for cancer pain management?
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.
Why are the Services provided at ASTER unique?
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
When can we have this service?
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.
What do symptoms mean?
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.
What Illnesses/ health-related suffering are we talking about?
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.
What is Palliative medicine?
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.