Naslov
A dying patient - How much analgesia?

Autori
Luzer, Jelena ; Dobrila-Dintinjana, Renata ; Dintinjana, Marijan

Izvornik
Libri oncologici : Croatian journal of oncology (0300-8142) 37 (2009), 1-3; 47-50

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, pregledni rad, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
Dying patient ; Malignant pain management ; Opioids ; Palliative care

Sažetak
As human life is invaluable, each person has the right to humane and dignified care at the end of life. The aim of treatment is to achieve the best possible quality of life for the terminally ill. The emphasis should be placed upon quality rather than length of life. The care for dying patients with incurable diseases is provided through palliative care. Particular attention during treatment in this last part of life is paid to the control of pain. Malignant pain is most commonly therapy- and procedure-related pain, generally caused by somatic, visceral, and neuropathic mechanisms. Management of malignant pain involves the application of pharmacotherapy combined with cognitive-behavioral techniques. Opioids are the most efficient pharmacotherapeutic agents. However, their use is associated with a number of serious side effects, the most significant being respiratory depression. Numerous studies have proved that despite such an effect, there is no reason for their avoidance or any obstacle for their administration for pain management. Another, quite common reason for avoiding the use of opoids is the fear of addiction, which is an extremely rare occurrence in dying patients, according to scientific research results. Death is an integral part of life and the quality of life must be optimal to its very end, especially in terms of pain curing.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Kliničke medicinske znanosti

POVEZANOST RADA