Any cancer that is incurable is referred to as terminal cancer. Advanced heart disease and cancer are two examples of progressive diseases that are referred to as terminal. Any of these two conditions can cause a patient to be referred to as terminally sick or terminal patient at times. So, after the diagnosis, these might choose to manage their illness at home. As per the Best Physician in Ahmedabad, caregiving, ongoing medical attention, and hospice care—a kind of care centered on easing the pain and symptoms of a terminally ill patient—are all included in the management.
The patient and his or her family make the decisions about pain treatment. Understandably, these patients frequently require a caregiver to assist them in receiving drugs to regulate their symptoms and lessen discomfort. This caregiver could be a licensed nurse, or a loved one. As everyone knows, pain is a prevalent sign of a wide range of illnesses. It is a physically unpleasant feeling. People with terminal cancer often experience pain. Everybody who is suffering experiences it differently; not everyone is affected in the same way. The type of cancer, its stage, and other medical issues are some of the variables that affect how much pain is experienced. Pain can also result from cancer examinations, procedures, and therapies.
Why is pain management important in terminal cancer?
Pain management, as the term suggests, is the careful application of medical care to lessen pain. Increasing quality of life is the primary objective of pain treatment. Reducing pain is essential to raising life quality. Both the patient’s physical and emotional health may improve as a result. People who are in pain find it difficult to function and to spend time with their loved ones. Patients may find it difficult to eat or sleep, and it may also have an impact on their mood and cognitive function. It is a professional, moral, and ethical responsibility to provide pain treatment for patients with terminal cancer.
How can pain be managed in terminal cancer?
Most pain is managed with medication. Medications should be taken on a regular basis and according to a schedule for optimal results. Multiple prescription types may be part of the pain management plan. To determine which works best, several types are utilized. These medications can be administered via IV drip, tablets, oral liquids, or patches, among other methods.
Opioids: The class of medications known as opioids includes the illicit substance heroin. Painkillers and synthetic opioids like fentanyl are both legally prescribed.
Opioid drugs include:
- Morphine
- Fentanyl
- Hydromorphone
- Methadone
- Oxycodone
Pain management in terminal cancer at home:
An multidisciplinary approach to enhancing the patient’s quality of life is pain management or pain control. Physicians, pharmacists, clinical psychologists, nurses, dentists, physiotherapists, massage therapists, and mental health professionals make up the pain treatment team. In addition, there are other approaches to managing pain, each with their own advantages, disadvantages, and restrictions. Medication techniques for preventing, lessening, or ending pain perception are included in pain management.
Techniques of pain management:
Physical and rehabilitation
This approach makes use of a variety of physical strategies, including therapeutic behavioral therapy, heat, medication, and electrotherapy.
Exercise Interventions
Through complete body awareness, physical practices such as yoga, Pilates, meditation, and exercise, among others, can control the mind and body. These exercises can help patients distract themselves from their pain, and this method will help patients feel less pain.
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT):
ACT does not classify unpleasant emotional experiences as issues or symptoms. Instead of concentrating on changing symptoms, it changes behavior. Instead of making people feel bad about their thoughts and feelings, this therapy encourages them to accept them.
Cognitive behavioral therapy:
One popular kind of talk therapy is cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT. Comprehending the connection between their suffering, cognition, feelings, and actions is beneficial.
According to home doctor visit, the following are the main advantages of pain management at home for terminal cancer
- Safer option
- Speak about the problems openly
- Can watch the patient 24*7
- No waiting time
- Can take medications regularly
