Proper positioning can provide relief and decrease the complications associated with prolonged bed rest such as pressure sores and contractures. Pain is not the only physical symptom that needs to be addressed. Anorexia is a symptom that accompanies many major illnesses and is also caused by various treatments. Appetite can sometimes be improved with nutritional supplements and feeding tubes. Patients should not be pressured into eating more than they can tolerate.
Dehydration can actually have a palliative effect by decreasing anxiety and pain.
Weakness can be treated by various means such as physical therapy or changes in medication and fluid intake. Dyspnea is a frequently experienced symptom. Because oxygen and pleural effusion and rarely effective treatments for dyspnea in the terminally ill patient, morphine is often administered to decrease anxiety and respiratory drive.3 Dry mouth can be treated via oral care and by sipping liquid. A catheter can be put in place for the incontinent patient. However, initiating treatments such as antibiotics should be discussed with the patient's family ahead of time, for sometimes an incurred infection can lead to a more comfortable death than the underlying disease would allow.