By Andrew Esch, MD
Heart failure is a serious illness that can take a toll on quality of life for patients and their families. If you are living with heart failure, you already know that it is a serious illness in which the heart is unable to pump blood properly. Palliative care can help. … Read More
Are you or a loved one living with a serious illness like cancer, stroke, dementia, or heart or lung disease? If so, you may find that you need help managing symptoms, reducing stress, and improving your quality of life. Palliative care can help. … Read More
If you or a loved one are living with a serious illness, you should learn if palliative care is right for you—and when to ask for it.
Palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness. It provides relief from the symptoms and stress of serious illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family.
Palliative care is provided by a specially-trained team who works together with your other doctors to provide an extra layer of support. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage in your illness. And it can be provided along with treatment that is meant to cure you. … Read More
If you are caring for someone receiving palliative care or for someone who needs it, you should know that the palliative care team will help you, too. … Read More
Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in women in the United States. In fact, a woman has a 1 in 8 chance of developing breast cancer during her lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society. The good news is that breast cancer deaths have been on the decline for many years now. Increased awareness, better screening and better treatment are saving lives. … Read More
If you are facing a serious illness and have asked for palliative care, you may be wondering what the first meeting will be like. Here are five things you can expect.
Many people living with a serious illness miss out on getting palliative care because they don’t know about it and how it works. Palliative care is specialized medical care that treats the symptoms and stress of serious illness. Palliative care treats any serious illness, but the most common ones are cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s diseases.
Understanding the following four “C”s can help you and your family talk to your doctor and ask for palliative care. … Read More
People living with a serious illness often have questions and concerns about sexuality and intimacy. But intimacy and sexuality aren’t always noticed by the people who treat you. Discussing how your illness has affected your relationships may help you open the door to the conversation if your health care team doesn’t bring it up first. … Read More
Palliative care can provide many benefits to people living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, and their caregivers.
“Palliative care is an opportunity for you and your loved one to get a helping hand and make it easier for both of you,” says Doris Phildor, Health Systems Director at the Alzheimer’s Association in New York City. … Read More
Shortness of breath is one of the most common symptoms for people living with a serious illness. It can be caused by asthma, cancer, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, or other conditions. Struggling for air can be exhausting and frightening for you and for your caregivers. A palliative care team can help. Palliative care is available at any stage of your disease and the earlier you get it, the better. … Read More
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