Pain Management in Palliative Care

Pain Management in Palliative Care

Dr.Jegadish,MBBS,FRCA,DEAA

Pain management is a crucial aspect of palliative care, as it helps to improve the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses. Palliative care is a type of medical care that focuses on relieving symptoms and providing comfort for patients who have a serious or life-limiting illness. The goal of palliative care is to improve the patient's quality of life and alleviate suffering. Pain is a common symptom experienced by patients with serious illnesses, and it can have a significant impact on their physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. Pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including the underlying illness, side effects of treatment, and complications of the disease.

Effective pain management in palliative care requires a multidisciplinary approach that includes a combination of medications, physical therapies, and psychological support.

We in Turiya follow the WHO step ladder protocol for pain management.

  1. Simple analgesics such as paracetamol.
  2. Anti-inflammatory tablets or creams such as Diclofenac, aceclofenac, eterocoxib etc.
  3. Weaker opiods such as tramadol, buphenorphine tablets or injection
  4. Combination of these medicines such as Ultracet, myospas, etc.
  5. Stronger opiods sucha as morphine tablets or fentanyl patches etc
  6. Special neuromodulators such as pregablin, gabapentin, oxcarbamazipine etc.

Since Our director, Dr.Jegadish is a qualified pain specialist from the UK he is very good at choosing the best regime to help our patients. In addition, our staffs are highly dedicated to giving excellent psychological support.

Physical therapies, such as massage and physio acupuncture can also be used to manage pain in palliative care. These therapies can help to improve mobility and function, as well as reduce pain and muscle spasms. Psychological support, including counseling and support groups, can also be an important part of pain management in palliative care. This type of support can help patients and their families cope with the emotional and psychological challenges of living with a serious illness.

Another important aspect of pain management in palliative care is patient education and communication. Patients and their families should be informed about the different types of pain management options available and how they work. This can help them make informed decisions about their care and can also help to reduce fear and anxiety. In addition, it is important for the healthcare team to regularly assess the patient's pain levels and adjust the treatment plan accordingly. This may involve adjusting the dosage of medication, switching to a different type of medication, or adding physical or psychological therapies to the treatment plan.

It's worth mentioning that, in addition to the traditional approaches, there are alternative forms of pain management such as acupuncture, aromatherapy, and hypnosis. These methods can be used in combination with traditional therapies to provide additional relief. In conclusion, pain management is a crucial aspect of palliative care, and it requires a multidisciplinary approach that includes a combination of medications, physical therapies, psychological support, and patient education and communication. This approach can help improve the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses and alleviate suffering. As healthcare professionals, it is our responsibility to provide comprehensive care and support to patients and their families during this difficult time. In Turiya we guarantee your loved ones will not suffer from Pain