ECU Health Medical Center Palliative Care Unit

Palliative care is a way to improve quality of life for a patient who is being treated for a serious illness. It is a type of medical specialty. To palliate means to ease the symptoms of an illness. Palliative care providers are experts in easing symptoms that cause distress. These may include pain, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, constipation, sleeping, and breathing problems. And patients and their loved ones are given emotional and spiritual support. Palliative care is given at the same time as traditional medical care. Active treatment for the illness does not stop. This sheet tells you about palliative care and how it may help you or your loved one. Goals of palliative care Palliative care gives a patient comfort while an ill...