Palliative Care (Cough)

What is Palliative Care (Cough) ❓

 Palliative care is treatment given to improve the quality of life of patients with serious illness and reduce any discomfort

 A cough is a reflex and the bodies attempt to clear the airways 💨

 Causes: cancer and/or associated treatment, lung or other conditions, infection or some drugs 🦠

What are the Symptoms of a Cough ❓

 Coughing (dry, moist, productive, or non-productive) 🗣

 May cause:

 Runny nose 👃

 Phlegm (may be clear, or thick and yellow/green) 🤧

 Breathlessness

 Bleeding 💧

How do you Diagnose a Cough ❓

 Medical assessment 🔍

 Further investigation into cause e.g. scans

How do you Treat a Cough ❓

 Simple methods: cough medicine and air humidifier 🧴

 Opioids to suppress cough e.g. codeine or morphine if severe 💊

 Clear airways using a nebuliser mask and/or medicine

Why should I Worry about a Cough ❓

 May affect quality of life, for example due to sleep disturbance 🛌

 Can lead to problems such as hernia or vomiting 🤮