Palliative Care (Oral Problems)

What is Palliative Care (Oral Problems) ❓

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

 Oral problems include various distressing issues in the mouth 👄

 Causes: reduced nutrition, dehydration, medication, radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy, tumours, hygiene or infection 🏥

What are the Symptoms of Oral Problems ❓

 Dry mouth

 Taste changes 👅

 Oral pain

 Excessive salivation 💧

 Difficulty swallowing/chewing/speaking

 Bleeding

 Bad breath 💨

How do you Diagnose Oral Problems ❓

 Medical assessment

 Blood test (blood count/deficiency) 💉

 Mouth swab to test for infection 🧫

How do you Treat Oral Problems ❓

 Self-care/prevention: keep good oral hygiene, use antiseptic mouthwash, avoid irritating foods 🧼

 Saliva stimulant or substitute

 Painkiller: spray, mouthwashes or gels, morphine if severe 💊

 Anti-fungal/viral in cases of infection 🦠

 Steroid medication

Why should I Worry about Oral Problems ❓

 Can reduce quality of life due to issues eating, drinking or communicating 💬

 May lead to malnutrition, decay or serious infection 😖