For a patient in the earlier stages of a life-threatening illness, treatments might have the goal of curing the disease. When a cure is not possible, treatment still could be aimed at prolonging the patient's life while managing symptoms. At times during the course of the disease, the major goal might be to restore or maintain function. At other times, particularly toward the end of life, the treatment may focus completely on comfort for the patient and family. The dying patient requires medical care for a variety of physical symptoms and needs.
Medical treatment is now focused on making the patient as comfortable as possible.
This treatment includes managing pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, and nausea and vomiting. The medical team should monitor the patient's treatment plan closely and review it to make sure that it is in the patient's best interests and in line with the goals of the treatment plan. In some cases, when symptoms are unbearable and cannot be relieved, sedation may be offered to ease patient suffering. There are a few ways to ensure the best possible medical care for dying patients. First, it is important to find a skilled doctor who can meet the unique needs of dying patients.