Palliative treatment of chronic neurologic disorders.
Handb Clin Neurol. 2013;118:133-9.
Source
Interdisciplinary Center of Palliative Medicine, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany.Abstract
Patients
with chronic neurologic disorders suffer from the burden of disease
progression without the hope for a cure. Therefore, symptom management
and palliative care approaches should be included from the beginning of the illness. Palliative care
aims at improving a patient's quality of life by alleviating suffering
due to physical, psychosocial, and spiritual factors. Since no curative
and only limited life-prolonging treatment options are available for
most chronic neurologic disorders, a palliative care approach can help to create a treatment plan that considers all aspects of the disease.
We have provided palliative care
approaches for the most common neurodegenerative disorders like
dementia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis.
A palliative approach to neurologic disorders does not simply mean limiting treatment and focusing on pain. Instead, the whole unit of care, consisting of the patient, relatives, and caregivers, should be perceived with all their needs.
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