PATIENT INFORMATION
Palliative Care (Oral Problems)
What is Palliative Care (Oral Problems) โ
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 ๐
Causes: reduced nutrition, dehydration, medication, radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy, tumours, hygiene or infection ๐ฅ
What are the Symptoms of Oral Problems โ
Dry mouth
Taste changes ๐
Oral pain
Excessive salivation ๐ง
Difficulty swallowing/chewing/speaking
Bleeding
Bad breath ๐จ
How do you Diagnose Oral Problems โ
Medical assessment
Blood test (blood count/deficiency) ๐
Mouth swab to test for infection ๐งซ
How do you Treat Oral Problems โ
Self-care/prevention: keep good oral hygiene, use antiseptic mouthwash, avoid irritating foods ๐งผ
Saliva stimulant or substitute
Painkiller: spray, mouthwashes or gels, morphine if severe ๐
Anti-fungal/viral in cases of infection ๐ฆ
Steroid medication
Why should I Worry about Oral Problems โ
Can reduce quality of life due to issues eating, drinking or communicating ๐ฌ
May lead to malnutrition, decay or serious infection ๐
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