Today, I review and link to Guidelines for the use of drugs in symptom control from West Midlands Palliative Care.
All that follows is from the above resource.
These guidelines are a summary of the current practice of specialists working in palliative care in the West Midlands Region and can be used for patients who are receiving care at home or in hospitals. Your local Specialist Palliative Care Team are available for further advice. The production of these guidelines is independent, funded by the sales of previous editions.
Pain
This chapter will guide you through assessing what may be the cause of your patient’s pain, and what measures and medication you may need to provide to help with pain relief.
Nausea and Vomitting
This chapter will guide you through the causes and treatment of nausea and vomiting.
The management and choice of antiemetic will be influenced by the cause(s) of nausea and vomiting. These are identified from a thorough patient history, physical examination and investigations where appropriate.
*Intestinal Obstruction: Evaluation and Management [PubMed Abstract] [Full-Text HTML] [Full-Text PDF]. Am Fam Physician. 2018 Sep 15;98(6):362-367.
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Constipation
This chapter will guide you through the assessment and management of constipation.
Constipation is a common cause of distress. Prevention is better than waiting until treatment is needed. Symptoms can include anorexia, vomiting, colic, tenesmus, overflow diarrhoea, urinary retention and confusion.
Corticosteroids
This chapter will guide you through the principles of the use of corticosteroids in people with advanced malignancy, the choice of drug and dose as well as monitoring and withdrawal.
Patients with advanced malignancy may benefit from corticosteroids for a variety of symptoms.