What Is End of Life Symptom Management?
Comfort at the end of life requires expert symptom management. Understanding how symptoms are controlled helps families know what to expect and advocate for their loved one’s comfort.
Goals of End of Life Care
Comfort is the primary goal. When cure is not possible, preventing and relieving suffering becomes the focus. No one should die in pain or distress.
Quality of life matters until death. Making remaining time as meaningful and comfortable as possible honors the person. Symptom management enables quality time.
Wishes should guide care. Individual preferences about alertness, treatment intensity, and other factors shape symptom management approaches.
Pain Management
Pain is common at end of life and can almost always be controlled. Opioid medications are the mainstay of end-of-life pain treatment. Morphine, hydromorphone, and fentanyl are commonly used.
Opioids are appropriate and necessary at end of life. Concerns about addiction are not relevant when someone is dying. Undertreating pain causes needless suffering.
Pain medication may be given by multiple routes. Oral medications work when swallowing is possible. Liquid medications help when pills are difficult. Injections, patches, and other routes serve when oral medications are not feasible.
Around-the-clock dosing with additional doses for breakthrough pain provides consistent comfort. Scheduled medications prevent pain rather than just treating it after it becomes severe.
Dyspnea Management
Shortness of breath is distressing and common at end of life. Opioids effectively relieve dyspnea even when not treating pain. Low doses reduce the sensation of breathlessness.
Oxygen helps some patients but not all. If oxygen improves comfort, use it. If it does not help or causes discomfort from the equipment, it may be discontinued.
Positioning affects breathing. Elevating the head and sitting upright often ease breathing. Finding comfortable positions helps.
Cool air from fans or open windows provides comfort for some. Air movement across the face can reduce the sensation of dyspnea.
Anxiety and Agitation
Anxiety commonly accompanies terminal illness. Benzodiazepines like lorazepam reduce anxiety effectively. Addressing underlying causes like pain, dyspnea, or urinary retention also helps.
Terminal agitation or restlessness occurs in some dying patients. This can be distressing for families. Medications can provide sedation when agitation cannot otherwise be controlled.
Other Symptoms
Nausea responds to antiemetic medications. Multiple options exist; finding the right medication may require adjustment.
Secretions causing noisy breathing can be reduced with medications. Repositioning also helps manage secretions.
Constipation from opioids requires proactive management. Bowel regimens should accompany opioid use.
Getting End of Life Care
All Seniors Foundation provides hospice care with expert symptom management. Comfort at end of life is achievable. Contact us for hospice services ensuring comfort and dignity.
